The 2002 Reserva Santa Rosa is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Shiraz and 15% Merlot aged 18 months in French oak. It is more deeply colored than its sibling as well as more extracted. The nose has excellent nuances of tobacco, cedar, lead pencil, blackberry and chocolate. That is followed by a concentrated wine with layered black fruits and well integrated oak and tannin. It can easily support 4-6 years of bottle age but can also be enjoyed now with a charcoal-grilled, prime dry-aged ribeye. Importer: Winebow Inc., Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

A lightly bitter rhubard note accents the dried cranberry and currant flavors in this light-bodied red. Dried thyme and black pepper lace the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. Drink now. 3,427 cases made, 40 cases imported.??–null??Region: Spain / Alicante Select to Add

A little bramble and pickle on the nose tells us that this may never have gotten 100% ripe and over the top. Still, we admire and are intrigued by this Alicante blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% each of Syrah and Merlot. Feelwise, it’s a little bit chunky but hardly fat, and the flavors are plummy, red and a touch sharp in the middle. Drink now.——M.S.(11/15/2008)—— 87