90 Wine Spectator

Thick, ripe and powerful, with concentrated flavors of kirsch, dark cherry and Asian spice notes. Smoky and mocha-laden midpalate, with a long finish of dark chocolate. Drink now through 2014. 5,000 cases made. 90 Points - Wine Spectator

"The 2005 RESERVA is a blend of old vines Alicante Bouschet (50%), Petit Verdot and Syrah. Closed and reticent at the outset, it was nonetheless graceful and bursting with flavor--the principal quibble being that the flavors seemed largely driven by oak as the fruit seemed to be submerged or closed. The tannins became more aggressive with substantial aeration, giving the wine an impressive backbone. If the oak can integrate some, and I saw some evidence that it will, this can become a pleasure to drink that ages well."

"To a lesser extent than with the ’06 Tinto reviewed this issue, there was a bit of funk on the nose that popped out after aeration and made me wrinkle my nose at times, and this is something that will have to be watched as it does have the potential to mar the performance. On the whole, this wine has some considerable, upside potential. Note that while it is approachable, it is hardly at peak and a couple years in the cellar should help a lot. Drink now-2019." 90 Points - Mark Squires - Wine Advocate

ESTATE:
"Wine has been produced in Quinta Dona Maria or Quinta do Carmo, has it was known before for over 130 years. But only since 1988 has the current owner, Júlio Tassara Bastos, begun the national and international sale of the 1985, 1986 and 1987 Quinta do Carmo “Garrafeira”, recognised for its superb quality. In 1992, Júlio Bastos, wishing to ensure its growth and at the same time improve distribution of his wine production, sold 50% of the Sociedade Agrícola Quinta do Carmo to Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). It was then when the former winery ceased to function and the main office was transfered from the Quinta de Dona Maria or Quinta do Carmo to the Carvalhas estate, which became the property of this company from this time on and where a new winery was built."

"As Júlio Bastos had never given up on the idea of again producing his own wine, it was at the start of the new millennium that the opportunity arose. He then decided to sell his stake in the Sociedade Agrícola Quinta do Carmo to start a new project. The ancient estate winery was restored and extended, equipped with the best and most modern technology, although keeping the famous "lagares" where selected grapes are vinified using the traditional foot-treading method."

"Besides the conversion of the winery, in 2001 Júlio Bastos bought the property which he considered the most appropriate to plant the new vines and in 2002 bought a vineyard which was over 40 years old, right at the end of the property he already owned. A special feature of this vineyard is that it has practically maintained the same characteristics, both in terms of soil and varieties as those that once produced the old Quinta do Carmo "Garrafeiras".

"In 2003 the first grapes were harvested and a new stage in the long life of this Estate started. Júlio Bastos, together with his wife and daughters, hope that this will be the beginning of a long-lasting high quality relationship with the world of wine making." -Winery