The 2009 Flor de Crasto is Crasto’s relatively new entry level wine. Intended to be easy drinking, it is rather light, with a sweet tinge, becoming more interesting with 15 minutes of air as the sweetness integrates a bit. This is the type of wine that you take for what it is. You can drink it as an easy sipper, and if you chill it down to 60 or so, that would be good. Drink it young and fresh; it is at peak now and if it goes anywhere in the next couple of years, it will be down. Drink now-2013. Crasto is one of the Douro’s most prominent estates, typically one of its leaders. With a beautiful Quinta and view – easier to get to by boat, more interesting to get to by car – it justly attracts a lot of attention. The releases this year, 2009s, have plenty to offer, but I was not entirely convinced by all of the upper level wines. Perhaps time will tell another story as they calm down and settle down.Importer: Broadbent Selections, San Francisco, Ca.; (415) 931-1725.

The 2008 FLOR DE CRASTO is Crasto’s entry level wine, a blend of Tinta Roriz (60%), Touriga Franca (25%) and Touriga Nacional (15%) from young vines in the Douro Superior (planted in 2000) and aged wholly in stainless steel. This bottling was introduced to address a market segment aimed below the regular Tinto. This shows quite nicely this year, fruity but crisp, light but quite pleasing, with hints of earthiness. The tannins are soft and the wine has little upside potential. The principal caution with this and wines like this is to drink it young for best results. It hits peak fast, and is likely to decline just as fast, however long it holds in theory. There were 157,333 bottles produced. Drink now-2012. Importer: Broadbent Selections, San Francisco, Ca.; (415) 931-1725.

This new baby from Crasto is an easygoing wine, full of berry fruits, gentle tannins. It is ready to drink, finishing softly and freshly.——R.V.(11/1/2010)—— 87