86|2005 Dona Maria Tinto
The 2005 Tinto is a blend of Aragonez, cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah,. East going and ready to drink now, it has modest structure and concentration, but nice balance and a friendly feel. There is a whigg of game on the nose of this bottle that I did not note when it was tasted at the winery some months earlier. Drink now-2011.

88|2007 Dona Maria Branco
The 2007 Branco is a mostly an increasingly typical Southern blend of Arinto and Antao Vaz Solid, pungent and piercing, it is fresh and refreshing. The blend this year omits Roupeiro, another familiar Southern grape. The wine seems a little more herbaceous than last year’s version, something that manifests itself primarily on the nose, although it has calmed down a bit since I saw it at the winery. It is very nicely wrought. Drink now-2011

93+|2004 Dona Maria Alicante Buischet JB
The 2004 Alicante Bouschet JB is what Julio Bastos calls his “special Alicante” By that , he says he means that it is the same clone as the first Alicante introduced at Herdade do Mouchao by the Reynolds family (his ancestors) at the tturn of the century, and an old vines wine (40 years old so) whose rootstocks are planted grafted and cuttings of the first Alicante Bouschet vines planted in Alentejo 150 years ago. Bastos’ Reservas at the moment have 30-40% of this special Alicante blended in, but hers is a single variety wine made from it—and it is quite exceptional. The Southern Portuguese tradition of great Alicante at Mouchao and Carmo, the old Reynolds’ properties, is continued here. Although elegantly wrought, it is powerful and pointed even after decanting. Asit opens, its fruit projects great intensity of flavor and lingers on the big finish. Beautifully structured and very tight, this should age gracefully for a long while this is an early look at this wine, which I thought still had some secrets ato reveal: it has the potential to go up in score and develop more complexity with cellaring. There were 233 cases produced, which tiny production no doubt accounts for a lot of the price tag. Drink 2010-2025

The 2004 Amantis is a new, mid –level entrant in Dona Maria’s lineup. It is an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot, with 10% Touriga Nacional mixed in. It is fuller than the regular Tinto, Adding another layer—or—two of fruit, an89|2004 Dona Marian Amantisd competes fairly well with the Reserva. It opens round and seductive. It then develops some intensity and evolves well for a few hours, but the wine always has a friendly demeanor and an easy going feel. It is quite charming, softly textured and rather tasty, with a delicious finish. The Cabernet  flavors seem to predominate  at this point in its life. It held adequately to Day 2.  Drink2008-2013.

91|2004 Dona Marian Reserva
There were 19,000 cases made, of which 4,000 were imported. The 2004 RESERVA is 25% Syrah, 50% Alicante (an Alicante Bouschet hybrid), and the rest divided equally between Cabernet Sauvignon and Aragones. It is a solid wine, projecting a feel of fullness in the mouth, without being overbearing in the least. It is very flavorful, nuanced with cherries, with tannins lurking underneath. As it comes into focus with air, it becomes more rightly wound, gripping and quite intense, but the sweet mid-palate fruit is always persistent. It should develop some character in the cellar, and after having it open for three hours, it was still a bit closed. It drank as well or better the next day. There were 4,200 cases produced, of which 2,000 were imported.  Drink now-2016.

89|2005 CARM Grande Reserva
The 2005 GRANDE RESERVA, is 90% Touringa Nacional, with a blend of Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca for the last 10%. It is sexy and lush, tinged a bit too much with oak at the moment, but hopefully it will improve in that regard with some cellaring. In the meanwhile, it is rich and bursting with flavor, aromatic and ripe, with a sensual texture. The oak (French, new) does make this seem a bit simple as well as New World, hardly a complex, earthy Douro. I tried it again the next day, and it was still hard to find the fruit. This approachable now, even though, with air, the refined tannins appear and provide some gentle grip on the finish. It should hold nicely for several years as well. Drink now-2015.

86|2006 CARM TINTO
The 2006 Tinto, a blend of Touriga Nacional, TInta Roriz and Touriga Franca, is a pretty nice effort, light, but quite elegant, with some structure and with tasty fruit. There may be a dollop of ’07 fruit included. As nice as it tastes, it thins quickly with air. Drink now-2010.

87|2006 CARM Grande Reserva Branco
The GRANDE RESERVA BRANCO is a typical Douro blend of Codega, Rabigota and Viosinho, mostly aged in French oak for 7 months. The oak rounds it off, but this is crisp and acidity cuts through the oak. The wine is a pleasure to drink for early consumption, perky and sunny, with the acidity apparent on the finish, which is otherwise average.  The aromatics are excellent, with some tropical fruit on the nose. The wine does flatten quickly with air. Drink now 2010.

88|2005 Casa de Santa Vitoria Inevitavel
The 2005 INEVITAVEL is a blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional. The –Inevitavel- is an upper level bottling from this winery, produced only in the best years, from this winery, produced only in the best years, from whatever the winery thinks the best grapes in that year are. Note that while a barely legible –Inevitable_ is scawled in gold on the front of the imposing black bottle, you have to look on the back label to find the winery-s name. The bottle may be massive, but the wine is quite elegant, with a relatively light mid-palate and very approachable demeanor. It has the backbone to hold gracefully for several years, but the tannins are not fierce. Matured in French oak for 13 months, it is tinged a bit strongly with oak initially, but it is not as intrusive as on the regular 2006 Tinto reviewed this issue. The oak should integrate nicely with time. Pleasing, tasty and graceful, the wine is quite charming, although not perhaps as impressive as its bottle. Drink now-2015.

89|2005 CARM Tinto (Quinta Do Coa)
The 2005 Tinto (Quinta Do Coa) is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca. Lushes , deeper and richer than the multi-Quinta 2005 Tinto, the Quinta Do Coa Tinto opens round and softly textured. It is packed with flavor, nuanced by a bit of rhubarb. It is quite delicious. This often easygoing wine does pack some punch though, as tannins pop out on the finish. As it airs out, it proves that it is anything but a Johnny-one-note, and the parts begin to come together beautifully. Although not quite as deep or as well structured as the 2004Quinta Do Coa Reserva reviewed in this report, its lingering fruit, nuanced with plum scents and flavors, makes a good case for this wine. There were 3.000 cases produced of which 2,000 were imported. Drink now-2013.

89|2005 Quinta Da ALorna TourigaNAcional/ Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva
Gripping on the finish this tightly wound young wine spent 12 months in French oak. The texture is oak-softened,  but the palate shows ripe and fresh fruit and there are attractive red and black berry notes on the nose. The ripe tannins provide support, there is grip on the finish, and the wine overall has an elegant feel. It is very pleasing, and reasonably priced.  The Touriga Nacional seems to be dominating the wine at the moment , delivering some of those sweet ‘n’ sour plum notes on the juicy finish. It does eventually flatten out with a couple of hours of air, but it is very nice drinking in the meanwhile. Drink 2008-2014

88|Quiuta do Coa
There are 200 cases available in the USA. The 2004 Tinto (Quinta do Coa) is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz from CARM’ family vineyard. It seems a bit richer and more forward than the wines CARM produces under its own label. The palate is a little sappy, and the wine is sweet and primary, and quite delicious. The tannins are refined. I think this is a very tasty wine that is a good value. It does not show the structure of the wines CARM releases under its own label, but has sweeter, richer fruit, smooth, round texture, and a rather hedonistic air to it. In its own right, granting that it is a wine that is probably not intended to age for too long, it is sure to win some fans. It simply tastes great and is priced very well. Drink now – 2113. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

87| Casa da Alorna
The 2003 Colheita Seleccionada (Casa da Alorna) is a blend of Castelao (Periquita), Trincadeira and Tinta Miuda, aged in American oak. It leads off with a powerful bouquet predicting very ripe fruit, and an unusually lush feel. The considerable hit of oak provides some sweetness and roundness, but the wine is not loaded with those artificial notes often seen from American oak, probably because it only spent nine months in oak. Normally, hearing “American oak” is an immediate turnoff for me, but this is a good example of why it is nice to actually taste the wine before dismissing it. There are touches of spice, and lots of flavor, in fact a rather exuberant and exotic note that bordered on kirsch as the wine aired out. This tastes pretty good, and I suspect many will think it is a steal for the price. Purists may wind up preferring the more oakrestrained 2004Tinto reviewed here, although it lacks this bottling’s depth and fullness. Drink now – 2011. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

86| Castello d’Alba
The 2003 Reserva (Castello d’Alba) adds power and intensity to the Seleccionada reviewed here, which makes it a lot less charming to drink right now, but gives it a lot of upside for a modest price. This is more angular than Seleccionada, and the tannins are more gripping, although the flavors do not linger particularly long. This has some potential, and can be cellared, which is not something you always say about inexpensive wines. It took as long while to get some fruit, but when I did, it was tasty. It is never going to be the most charming wine in the world, though. Drink  2007 – 2012. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

85| Castello d’Alba Col Sel
The 2003 Colheita Seleccionada (Castello d’Alba Col Sel) is relatively rich and expensive for this modest price range.  This has smooth texture from oak treatment, and a rather nice finish for the price. Very tasty, modern in style, with a lingering finish, it seems like a fine deal in an early maturing wine, charming and lively. It actually has some structure, too. It is smooth and friendly with some brightness around the edges. You could spend a lot more, and be no happier. It took a good forty minutes of air to get this to open up fully, a nice statement on an inexpensive wine. It did not retain its peak for long, and it quickly became a bit simple, and a little short, which constrained my scoring. With these types of wines, make sure to buy them well stored, and drink young-ish for best results. Drink now – 2009. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

85| Case de Santa Vitoria Tinto
The 2004 Tinto is a blend of Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvigon, Syrah and Trincadeira. This is a pretty solid little wine, with some intensity, brightness, and fine flavors. It needs a few minutes of air to wake up, then shows both structure and fruit. Its mid-palate is modest, but it doesn’t feel watery or overly thin. There is a fried coffee bean note on the finish that I wasn’t thrilled with, however. For an early maturing wine, this provides fair value at the price. Drink now – 2011. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

86| Quinta de S. Francisco
The 2003 Tinto (Quinta de S. Francisco) is a blend of Castelao, Aragonez and Touriga Nacional. Grapy and primary , as well as a bit sharp on opening, this also has a rather gamey note, which thankfully cut the very sweet, almost candied fruit that initially presents itself. The tannins are there,  supporting a modest mid-palate. For an inexpensive wine, this has many merits. It does come around with some air, and makes a much more appealing presentation with time, always seeming flavorful, but no longer appearing quite as candied. There is nothing profound going on here, but it is a wine you can have a lot of fun drinking for a very modest price. It is a very nice value. Drink now – 2011. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

86| Andreza (Reserva)
The 2003 Reserva (Andreza) is a much more refined wine than the regular Tinto, and well worth the extra $3. There is a fruit nose, more depth and nice balance. The flavors are restrained at first, and then finally emerge. There are plenty of fierce tannins here, but the fruit has a chance to be supported rather than overwhelming and the texture actually becomes rounder. Not a particularly hedonistic wine, particularly at first, it shows focus and intensity, but gradually opens and becomes a lot tastier. There is a considerable hit of what seems like American oak on the finish. I suspect the astringent tannins are still a bit much for the depth of the fruit, but there will be a window where this should drink weel. Drink 2008 – 2015. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

90| Dona Maria Reserva
The 2003Reserva is already coming around, and is quite approachable. It has an elegant mid-palate and refined tannins, along with some brightness and a suave, modern and graceful feel to it. A bit foursquare at first, it is certainly pleasing and persistent, with some charm and the ability to improve in the glass. This is 50% Alicante Bouschet, and the rest Syrah, Cabernet Sauvigon and Aragones. Drink now- 2012. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

87| Case de Santa Vitoria Reserva
The 2004 Reserva is a step up from the regular Tinto, mostly justifying the increased price (although doubling it is a bold stroke). So often in these reviews, I looked at the step-up in price in a lineup and wondered if o wouldn’t be just as happy with the cheaper wine. Not here. This feels fuller in the mouth, and seems cool and refreshing. There is a tannic backbone for sure, as the wine presents some astringency. I gave it a lot more air, and there were some very nice fruit flavors emerging, and it became sharp rather than astringent. There is more of everything here, including flavor and finish. It winds up with a bright, lively finch, but not terribly long, and certainly not complex. Drink 2008 – 2013. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

90| CARM
The 2003 Reserva is rather classy. If you want a preview of the “CARM” for less than half the price, start here. All of CARM’s wines reviewed here show good aromatics, and so, too, here. The mid-palate is elegant in weight, and the fruit flavor persistent and tasty. There is fine structure, and the tannins are gripping on the end. I started out liking the 2000 CARM far more, but by the time all was said and done, it goes closer and closer. Drink 2008 – 2016. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

88| CARM
The 2004 Tinto is ripe and primary. This wine packs a bit of tannic punch at the end. It provides a lot of substance for the price and it is a very fine value, packed with fruit, showing off some darker plum nuances, a bit of funk on the nose, some earthly notes on the palate, good structure and persistent flavor. It is on the rustic side, and as such won’t be everyone’s first choice. Don’t expect lush and suave. The tannins are considerable, and it really needs a little time in the cellar. It is a lot of wine for the price, sturdy and bit solid, but very impressive. In this lineup from CARM, this is a steal, granting that its style differs considerably from the more sophisticated wines and it does not have as much upside. The only questions here are for how long and by how much it will improving with cellaring. For its price range, I think it will acquit itself well. There were 250 cases available in the USA. Drink 2007 – 2015. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

87| CARM
The 2005 Reserva Branco is full in the mouth, with a hit of oak on the back end initially that integrates quite well. The nose mingles fruit with a little steel, and is very appealing. The mid-palate is refreshing, with some acidity, good balance and an easy charm. For a wine in this price category, the finish is quite respectable, lingering and flavorful. Drink now – 2010. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

80| Dona Maria Tinto
The 2003 Tinto is simple and foursquare, with a somewhat bitter finish. After two corked bottles, the third seemed almost to have a spritz at first. Now, I didn’t actually see bubbles, I’m describing an analogous sensation. That blew off. What was left was pleasant and simple, but not something I could quite come around to actually liking. It was on the bitter side on the finish, which was not terribly impressive in length or in purity of flavors. The depth is good for its price range, and it seems to have light tannins that provide some grip. Drink now – 2009. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

84| Herdade Grande Tinto
The 2003 Tinto is bright and light, elegant and flavorful, a blend of Aragones, Trincadeira and Alicate Bouche. There is a haze of fine tannins supporting rather tasty fruit, laced with plum nuances. The mid-palate is modest. Well structured for its price range, this has some style and flavor, granting that it is hardly profound bouquet. The longer I had it open, that less I liked it, as the fruit became less and less interesting and faded quickly. Drink now – 2010. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

84|Andreza Tinto
The 2003 Tinto (Andreza) is one of those inexpensive Douro wines that show lots of structure and power, despite the modest price. The mid-palate is rather light, and the wine otherwise rather restrained, and austere at the moment. Some oak smooths the edges of the wines appropriately. The finish projects little but tannin at first. Eventually there are plum nuances, and darker fruit, but the tannins remain rather powerful and astringent, a little too much so for the depths of fruit, and the modest finish, although it eventually moderates. It should improve in the cellar. For the price it is a fair value. Drink 2007 – 2010. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

88| CARM (Casa Agricola Robored Madeira (Grande Escolha)
The 2003 “Grande Escolha” is a big red with power and some harshness, with the acidity and alcohol (14.5%) both seeming fairly prominent. There are also astringent tannins on the finish. Everything about this projects power, from the pungent nose to the finish, although it is mid-weight in depth. Although considerable aeration brought out some juicy fruit that I rather liked a lot, balance questions about this wine remained. Perhaps cellaring will bring it around. It has the potential for improvement. There are 50 cases available in the USA. Drink 2008 – 2018. GrapeMoments, New Bedford, MA.

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