The 2006 PASSAGEM is surprisingly powerful, even a little astringent on the finish. It is a Douro blend similar to the ’07 Reserve reviewed this issue, principally Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional. There is a certain tartness on the back end, and despite the lush feel up front, this has some focus. It was a pretty respectable effort for a new project in an off vintage and it should hold reasonably well in the cellar, but tasting this next to the 2007 shows the difference in the vintages. The ’06 seems respectable, but next to the ’07 it is seems a bit dull, lifeless, short in finish and lacking in vibrancy. Drink now-2015. This is a joint venture between Quinta de La Rosa and Poeira winemaker Jorge Moreira and the Bergqvist family (that owns La Rosa). The fruit is sourced from the Douro Superior at Quinta das Bandeiras. The goal here is to produce somewhat more approachable, fruitier wines, although these releases certainly show fine structure. Passagem means “crossing,” in Portuguese.Importer: Vinum Importing, Redmond, Wa.; tel: (206) 621-8843.

The 2005 PASSAGEM was meant to be fruity and approachable. It certainly achieves those goals. There is some structure here, though, and the wine feels like real wine, not a sloppy fruit bomb. It is merely a little on the fruit forward side, not odd. The mid-palate is rather elegant, perhaps to a fault, and the finish is short, but this is a wine that is quite charming and sure to be a crowd pleaser. It does drop off quickly with air. Drink now-2014.This new project is the result of a 50-50 joint venture between Quinta de La Rosa and Poeira winemaker Jorge Moreira and the Bergqvist family that owns La Rosa. The goal here is to produce somewhat more approachable, fruitier wines. Passagem means “crossing,” in Portuguese.