The purple-colored 2006 Terruno Vistalba Malbec was sourced from a 16 acre parcel of 53-year-old vines and was also aged for 12 months in 40% new French oak. The bouquet has an herbaceous quality along with forest floor, spice box, black cherry, and plum. Plush on the palate, the wine has excellent richness and depth of flavor, good integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, and a lengthy, pure finish. It, too, will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring and will offer a drinking window extending from 2011 to 2018. Importer: Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770

A blasting bouquet of oak and affiliated cinnamon and spice are wave one, while next up there’s dark fruit and a wealth of vanilla. This is one saturated Malbec, with menthol and tannins in spades. Only medium follow-through on the finish tempers the final grade. Imported by Southern Wine Group.——M.S.(10/1/2007)—— 89