The 2012 Alianca Quinta da Garrida Reserva Tinto begins with a very pleasant aroma of ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry, vanilla and a little oaky spice. Tasting the wine reveals it to be very smooth and rich with good balance. It features lots of ripe deep fruit interlaced with excellent spice notes. While the wine needs some time in the glass to really open up, when it does, it blossoms. It ends dry, a bit dusty and with very good length.