The 2007 Carmenere Barrel Select is an exceptional value. Fragrant, smooth-textured, and flavorful, this packed effort will go down easily for another four years. Santa Ema makes reliably excellent wines at fair prices from the bottom to the top of its portfolio.Importer: TGIC Imports, Woodland Hills, CA; Tel: (800) 924-0030

Opens with generic red fruit and candy aromas, but the palate is overtly acidic, which causes a sourness to go with candied, medicinal berry fruit flavors. After the tartness subsides, there’s regular red fruit notes left over.——M.S.(5/1/2010)—— 83