The 2006 Terra Do Zambujeiro is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional aged for 24 months in French oak. This is the mid-level entrant in this producer's lineup, usually its best compromise between price and quality, typically more restrained than the top of the line Tinto, but also fleshier and better structured than the Monte (both also reviewed this issue). Elegant in the mid-palate, it is tasty, friendly and quite appealing for the most part in this vintage. It also has a bit too much of an oaky tinge to it, although the oak mingles well with the sweet fruit. It is a little compact and a touch hollow, with a modest finish, but overall, when all is said and done, it is a pretty decent performance in a difficult vintage, with some structure and a backbone, if not much concentration. It did show its alcohol (15%) on occasion, but over the next couple of hours it seemed fine. Drink now-2015. Importer: World Wine Headquarters, tel. (800) 485-5753

The 2005 TERRA DO ZAMBUJEIRO is a blend of Aragonez (45%), Trincadeira (34%) and a variety of other grapes, including Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet and Castelao. It was hard as nails when I tasted it at the winery. It has opened now, showing some elegance, as well as grip on the finish, red fruit flavors and attractive aromas. There is an herbal note that I would attribute to the Trincadeira. There is a certain hard edge to this as well, and the alcohol seemed occasionally noticeable, enough to make me lean to the conservative side in scoring. It was still powerful and piercing the next day. I’d like to see how this comes together in the cellar. Drink 2009-2015. The price of the flagship Tinto has actually dropped a little—a wise move, considering the economic problems. The Terra, on the other hand, has increased a bit in price, a recognition of the usually high quality of that bottling and also a partial adjustment of the big gap between the two wines. The hot year of 2005 meant an early harvest at Zambujeiro, with fast ripening grapes. The winery reports that the grapes were generally in weeks early.Importer: Truman Wines, Los Angeles, Ca.; tel: (310) 994-9030.

The 2004 TERRA DO ZAMBUJEIRO is a nice one-two punch, and provides some considerable value. This is a mid-level wine from this winery. The 2004 TERRA DO ZAMBUJEIRO is beautifully balanced, with a backbone and grip on the finish. It is a blend of 26% Aragonez, 25% Periquita, 23% Trincadeira, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Alicante Bouschet. It is penetrating, and a little brooding, perhaps a bit closed at the moment. It lacks the exuberance of the 2003, but has better focus and more harmony, and a sensual texture. It should repay cellaring. Its fruit is also ripe and extremely pleasing when it finally opens up. It will not be released until 2008. Drink now-2015. Importer: Truman Wines, Los Angeles, Ca.; tel: (310) 994-9030.

The 2003 TERRA DO ZAMBUJEIRO is a nice one-two punch, and provides some considerable value. This is a mid-level wine from this winery. The 2003 TERRA DO ZAMBUJEIRO is a blend of 50% Aragonez, 33% Trincadeira, 8% Periquita, 6% Alicante Bouschet and 3% Touriga Nacional. It is sweeter, with riper and perkier fruit than the 2004. It is quite lovely. It has excellent depth, power and admirable structure of its own, though, and with air the tannins can be assertive. There is plenty of grip on the finish, and this wine could benefit from a bit more cellaring. There is just a bit of the Trincadeira funk lurking underneath, but it is well integrated. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Drink now-2014.Importer: Truman Wines, Los Angeles, Ca.; tel: (310) 994-9030.

The 2002 “Terra do Zambujeiro” is a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira,, Castelao, Alicante Bouschet, raised two years in 50% new French oak. The oak softens the wine, which has a velvety texture. The wine also has pleasing flavors and tastes quite delectable. It is soft in the mid-palate, but there are some tannins on the finish that become more noticeable with air. It is not a particularly intense wine, but with air, it does gain some focus. It tastes great and goes down easy, while providing more depth than the Castanheiro bottling reviewed here. It is ultimately a bit foursquare. Drink 2007-2011. Importer: Truman Wines, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (310) 994-9030