The 2007 Reserva is made up of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new French oak for 24 months. Purple in color, it gives up an expressive nose of wood smoke, violets, espresso, mineral, and assorted black fruits. Full-bodied, dense, and savory on the palate, this medium-long effort will fill out for another 2-3 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2022. Pago de Carraovejas is a single vineyard comprising 346 acres planted to 75% Tempranillo and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.Importer: Kysela Pere & Fils, Winchester, VA; Tel. (540) 722-9228

The 2007 Pago de Carraovejas Reserva is blended with 3% Merlot and is aged in French and American oak for 12 months. It has a high-toned bouquet with macerated dark cherries, boysenberry jam and apricot blossom that opens nicely in the glass. The palate is full-bodied with succulent ripe black cherry and bilberry fruit with a gripping, highly extracted finish that manages to retain balance. This is an outstanding, sophisticated Reserva that will repay several years in bottle. Drink now-2017. Founded in 1988 in Penafiel, Pago de Carraovejas was founded by Jose Maria Ruiz. The former restaurateur released his inaugural vintage in 1993 (the 1991) and they have not looked back since. The wines comes from a single 140 hectare vineyard planted with 75% Tinto Fino and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and the wines are raised in a mixture of American and French oak, a judicious one-third renewed each year. These wines have a lot to offer: well-crafted and full of personality, the judicious use of Bordeaux varieties adds a little je ne sais quoi to the blend. These are well worth seeking out. Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228 www.kysela.com