The 2007 Enrique Foster Firmado is 100% Malbec sourced from the same vineyards as the Limited Edition cuvee and aged in new French oak for 16 months. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up jammy, confiture-like aromas leading to an extracted, port-like, rich, layered wine which stops just short of going over the top. Give it 2-3 years to become more civilized, but be warned, those seeking elegance and finesse should look elsewhere. Importer: Dreyfus Ashby, New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770

The flagship 2006 Firmado (meaning “signature’) Malbec was sourced from the same two vineyards and aged for 15 months in new French oak. More deeply colored and more fragrant, it is an opaque purple color with an enthralling perfume of underbrush, leather, game, exotic spices, incense, and black cherry. Voluptuous on the palate, it has superb depth and grip, layer upon layer of succulent fruit, impeccable balance, and a finish that lasts for over one minute. It will offer prime time drinking from 2014 to 2030. It is one of the stars of the vintage.Bodega Enrique Foster’s first vintage was 2002. The winery’s estate vineyard was planted in 1919. They lease a vineyard planted in 1955, and their Lunlunta property was planted in 1968. Current production is 15,000 cases with 60% exported to the USA.Importer: Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770

The “Firmado” cuvee is a selection of the winery’s best grapes and only 200 cases are produced. The opaque purple 2005 Malbec Firmado was sourced from 60-year-old vines in Lujan de Cuyo and aged for 15 months in new French oak. The nose reveals pain grille, mineral, scorched earth, espresso, and black cherry. On the palate it is dense, layered, and succulent with outstanding depth and several years of aging potential. This lengthy effort will be at its best from 2012 to 2025. Bodega Enrique Foster makes only old-vine Malbec.Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770