The 2004 Altolandon marks the debut of this wine sourced from an organically farmed, cool-climate vineyard. The wine was aged for 12 months in a mixture of French and American oak. The wine is 50% Syrah with the balance consisting of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Garnacha. Purple/black in color, it offers up a brooding nose of pepper, grilled meat, sausage, blueberry and black currant. Tightly wound but dense and layered, the wine is slightly compact in the finish. If this wine continues to evolve, my score will appear conservative. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565