WTN: Bad or good CARMa?

• 2007 CARM (Casa Agrícola Roboredo Madeira) Douro - Portugal, Douro (2/19/2010)
  13,5% abv. A third each of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca & Touriga Nacional. Aged four months in oak of which 30% was new and a further 10 months in steel. Organic. The scent has dark, brambly fruit and a bit of meatiness. There is also a strange, but ultimately appealing once I adjusted my thinking, high toned note slightly reminiscent of mint or eucalyptus. Quite full bodied and full of sweet fruit, but I did find adequate structure: the acidity might not be very high but it does have a nice bit of tannic bite that counters the fruit making the finish refreshing rather than cloying. The oak is quite tame and enough in the background that I could enjoy the wine. An enjoyable, little wine, but a bit too polished and New World-like to be one I enjoy unreservedly.

Posted from CellarTracker

I think I know where you are coming from Otto. I was pouring CARM recently at a show and was very enthusiastic naturally. Recent releases have shown that new-world influence to me, only hope Crasto does not go the same way!
I will continue to follow CARM (with caution) to see how things develope. I am showing more interest in Portal these days.