Medium garnet-purple colored, 2009 Reserve BV Grenache gives moderately intense notes of earth, warm red currant, warm raspberries, spice box, tree bark and underbrush. Full, rich and ripe-fruited, it has very soft, silky tannins, crisp acid and a long spicy finish. Drinking now it should remain vibrant to 2015. Importer: CLD Imports, Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500

The grapes for the 2008 Grenache Reserve were sourced from vineyards averaging 80 years of age. It was aged for 18 months in seasoned oak. Medium ruby-colored, it offers up an enticing nose of rose petals, spice box, black cherry, and black raspberry. Smooth and juicy on the palate, this easy-going, pleasure-bent, lengthy effort can be enjoyed over the next 6 years. The man behind La Curio, a project begun in 2003, is Adam Hooper, a member of the Redheads gang since 2006.Importer: CLD Wines, Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500

The 2007 Reserve Grenache was sourced from 80-year-old, dry-grown vines and spent 18 months in a mix of new and used Allier barrels. Dark ruby in color, it has an enticing perfume of wood smoke, scorched earth, mineral, cherry blossoms, and cassis. On the palate, this full-bodied Grenache has layers of savory fruit, good integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, a supple texture, and excellent length. It contains enough ripe tannin to evolve for several years and should be at its best from 2010 to 2020. La Curio was established in 2003 by Adam Hooper who makes his wines at the well-known Redheads Studio. The focus is on old-vine Grenache and Shiraz from McLaren Vale.Importer: CLD Imports, Barrington, IL; tel. (847) 898-9500

The 2006 Grenache “Bush Vine” Reserve is dark ruby-colored with a perfumed nose of cedar, spice box, black cherry and black raspberry. Forward and easy-going, this pleasant wine will drink well now and over the next 4-6 years. La Curio is a garagiste winery operating out of Red Heads Studio in McLaren Vale. Fruit is sourced from a range of McLaren Vale vineyards with the bush vine parcel estimated to be over 80 years of age.Importer: CLD Imports, Barrington, IL; www.lacuriowines.com Also tasted: 2004 Grenache “Bush Vine” Reserve (92), 2004 Shiraz Reserve (92)