The 2005 Absis is predominantly Tempranillo with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah completing the blend. It was aged for 18 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up a reticent bouquet of wood smoke, raisins, plum, and mulberry with a hint of balsamic in the background. On the palate the wine is a bit austere and will require several years of cellaring to fully blossom. Even so, there is little here to justify the extravagant price. Pares Balta is a large winery in Penedes making an assortment of wines mostly of solid quality. Importer: Bryce McNamee, Boutique Wine Collection, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (914) 954-6583