The 2006 Reserva ramps it up a notch. It, too, was aged for 12 months in French and American oak and is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 40% Malbec, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. It delivers a bouquet of cigar box, damp earth, Asian spices, black currant and blackberry. Smooth-textured on the palate, it has plenty of ripe, savory fruit, outstanding depth and concentration, and a lengthy, pure finish. Give it 4-6 years of additional bottle aging and drink it from 2014 to 2026. Importer: Maja Imports, Milford, CT; tel. (203) 878-9022

Monte Quieto’s 2005 Reserva is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Malbec, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 12 months in French and American oak. Purple-colored, it offers up a pleasant perfume of cedar, spice box, violets, black currant, and blackberry. On the palate it is medium- to full-bodied with some incipient complexity, ripe flavors, plenty of spice, and good length. It will offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2020. Importer: Maja Imports, Milford, CT; tel. (203) 878-9022