The 2009 Vall del Calas is composed of 70% Merlot, 25% Garnacha, and 5% Tempranillo aged for 11 months in a mix of new and used French oak. It sports an already complex bouquet of smoke, spices, incense, and assorted black fruits. This is followed by a layered, succulent wine with loads of spicy fruit, a firm structure, and a lengthy, pure finish. It is likely to evolve for 1-2 years and will drink well through 2021. Celler de Capcanes is one of the leading estates of Montsant and arguably one of the great producers of Kosher wine this side of Manischewitz. This unusual story began in 1995 when the Jewish community of Barcelona asked Capcanes if they could produce a Kosher wine. The installation of new equipment allowed for the production of Kosher wine but also high quality wines from the old vine Garnacha and Carinena grown in the local villages by the 80 members of the cooperative. While the Kosher wines put Capcanes on the map, it represents only 2% of the production and now it is the other 98% which drives the business. The following wines were tasted during my visit to Celler de Capcanes in January, 2011. Importer for the non-Kosher wines is Eric Solomon Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565; Importer for the Kosher wines is Royal Wine, Bayonne, NJ; tel. (718) 384-2400