The 2008 Alidis Reserva comes from 25-year-old vines and is aged for 14 months in new French oak. Although the wood is conspicuous on the aromatics, there appears to be sufficient fruit to support it and therefore it deserves two or three years for assimilation. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent, fleshy tannins. There is good weight in the mouth and the finish offers impressive black fruit laced with black tea and a hint of black pepper, with good persistency on the aftertaste. It just comes across as a bit “serious.” Drink 2015-2022. Here is a prime case of a producer that produces excellent entry-level wines. Yet as you progress toward the higher end labels, both terroir and personality are subjugated by excessive new oak that renders them indistinguishable from much else. Tant pis as they say in France.Importer: Hildago Importers; www.hildalgoimports.com