The 2008 TINTO “MONTE DO CARRAPATELO” is a blend of Aragonez (40%), Alicante Bouschet (40%) and Touriga Nacional (20%), aged for 9 months in American oak. Fruity, juicy and sweet, with ripe plum notes, this straightforward wine is nonetheless quite pleasing and tasty. It does have some ripe tannins that lend it some support and a little more gravitas, and it is an awful lot of fun. It is not in the least complex, but it has its merits. If it hits the street at a price point you like, it will make a lot of folks happy. It handles its oak pretty well. Maybe in a few months or a year or so, it will acquire a little character as the exuberant fruit calms down and matures. Drink now-2015. These are part of the Wine Project Portugal import portfolio. Winemaker Luis Duarte, a familiar face in the South from his work at places like Herdade dos Grous and Esporao, presents his own portfolio here. Monte do Carrapatelo is Duarte’s property where he resides and debuted with the 2008 vintage. Rapariga da Quinta (meaning “Girl of the Estate”) was established in 2007. The grapes are sourced from S. Miguel de Machede.Importer: Laurel Importers, Bristol, R.I.; tel: (401) 396-9661