Wine & Spirits: Rated as Superlative, rare finds. "Located in Pocinho, across the river from Vale Meao, the Quinta das Bandeiras is 240 acres of rolling hills in the Douro Superior, one quarter of it planted to vines. Winemaker Jorge Moreira convinced the Bergqvist family of La Rosa to purchase the property and together, they entered into a joint venture to produce Passagem. The 2007, mostly Tourigas Nacional and Franca, combines a sense of 19th century Douro elegance with a downright delicious crush of flavor. The most compelling aspect is its breezy freshness, the remarkable length of cool dark cherry and dark chocolate flavor that lasts for minutes after each taste. While the tannins are extreme in their power, there's no perceptible astringency; instead, they drape the dark, resinous scents of herbs and purple plum fruit in satin. All of those factors, matched with the vibrant edge to the color of the wine, predicts a long life ahead. " Apr 2010

Wine Enthusiast: Rated as Excellent, extremely well made and highly recommended. "From upper Douro vineyards owned by Quinta de la Rosa, this is a powerful, firmly tannic wine, a great expression of fruit from this remote region. Black currant, wild acidity and impressive tannins hold a solid, concentrated wine together." Nov 2010

Winery:  "Passagem 2007 wine is a full bodied, seductive wine with great balance and freshness often hard to achieve in wines from the hotter Douro Superior.  Like all of Jorge´s wines, it has good equilibrium and definition. Very aromatic with black fruit flavours, rounded tannins and good complexity, the wine lingers on the palate.
Bought by the Bergqvist family (Quinta de la Rosa), the wine is called PASSAGEM (The Crossing) and is a joint venture between Jorge Moreira (wine maker) and the Bergqvist family. Undoubtedly the best wine we have made from this new project, it is showing very well now and has a good potential for ageing."

Wired For Wine:  Superlative indeed, winelovers!  What better way to ring in the New Year than this Passagem the Crossings Reserva Douro from Portugal?  Not many options come to mind.  Pour your first glasses of this beautifully structured ruby red and savor them with a rabbit terrine made with green olives and pistachios.  It is the perfect accompaniment to the aromatic, herbal side of this wine.  Falar sobre feliz!  Moving along to the entree, the powerful tannins, deep, dark fruit and seductively firm acidity will warrant choices on the hearty, meaty side.  Our favorite is a nod to the rock star, yet gorgeously rounded tannins.  We say grill up some big porterhouse steaks and serve them with pan-seared cherry tomatoes drizzled with a hint of balsamic.  The combination is wildly delicious.  If you prefer something geared towards the lovely fruit in this Portuguese Reserva Douro, then our recommendation is rack of lamb with roasted savoy cabbage with raisins, and a date puree on the side.  Seja ainda meu coração.  Another surefire option with this Passagem is the old school approach.  A beef stew with potatoes and carrots or a lamb stew with leeks and baby artichokes is guaranteed to delight any crowd, and pair seemlessly with the long-lasting finish and mouthwatering succulence of this full-bodied diva.  Had enough?  We didn't think so.  Open another bottle and drain it while you enjoy a Portuguese Azeitao cheese.  It is buttery in texture, with a strong, earthy aroma and a rich flavor which will steel your heart.  Oh, we forgot, the Passagem's already got it on a leash...

Size:  750ml
Bottle Top: cork
Varietal: Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca
Alcohol:  14.0%
Ageing:  18 months in Allier French oak casks, mainly Francois Freres, Taransaud and Seguin Moreau. Additional 6 months in bottle before release.
Region:  Douro, Portugal