The 2011 La Botera is a blend of Garnacha and Carinena aged separately in oak barrels for five months, after which time they are blended and matured in stainless steel vats until bottling. The nose blends the soft, red fruit aromas of Garnacha with the more rustic ones from Carinena, damsons, some flowers and tree bark with spices from the oak aging. It’s quite tasty, with juicy fruit, fine-grained tannins and a slightly warm finish. Drink now-2017. This is a new name, a family winery created in 2004, but with a long tradition as grape growers. They own some exceptional vineyards like a centenary plot of Carinena where they source the fruit for the Cami de Cormes, a really impressive and profound wine well worth its price. Importer: CSCS Imports Inc, West Warwick, RI; tel. (401) 825-7920, www.cscscorp.org

The 2009 La Botera is also 85% Samso and 15% Merlot with 60% Samso aged in new oak for three months. It has a light, well-defined nose with touches of shellfish infusing the crisp dark berry fruit. The palate is high-toned with chunky blackberry and raspberry fruit that leads to a chewy, citric finish with a tinny edge. Drink now-2014. Roig Parals was founded in 2005. They own 11 hectares of vine – two plots with vines up to 116 years old. Tasting inside the winery, conditions did appear rather cramped, but fortunately a new, more spacious facility is being built. Importer: James Peltier; no telephone number available.

Roig Parals’ 2008 La Botera is a blend of Samso (Carinena) and Merlot displaying a nose of earthy minerality and black fruits. Tasty but straightforward on the palate, it is a good value meant for drinking over the next 5 years. Importer: 31 Degrees South; www.31degreessouth.com