Pares Balta’s 2007 Radix Rose is a 100% Syrah cuvee. Medium to dark pink-colored, it offers up aromas of rose petals and cherry blossoms leading to a structured, full-flavored wine that may well evolve for 1-2 years. It has excellent intensity, depth and a pure finish. Although priced like the great Bandol Rose of Domaine Tempier, it lacks the latter’s complexity. Even so, this is a first-class pink wine by any standard. Pares Balta is one of a number of wineries in Penedes with serious aspirations. It produces a wide range of wines from Cava to Rose to stratospherically priced red wines. While Pares Balta appears to be a work in progress, it is clear that their intention is to produce world-class wines. While Pares Balta makes many different Cavas, the importer only brings in their two top-of-the-line sparkling wines. Several of Pares Balta’s red wines could not be recommended and the best of the rest possess a certain rusticity that belies their lofty price tags. Importer: Bryce McNamee, Boutique Wine Collection, Philadelphia, PA; www.boutiquewines.info