The 2007 Manu is composed of 40% Syrah, 40% Garnacha, with the balance Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot aged in barrique for 13 months. Purple/black in color, it offers up an aromatic array of herbs, menthol, mineral, and assorted black fruits. On the palate it remains tightly wound although it has good depth, concentration, and length. If it unwinds in a positive way over the next 5 years, my score will look conservative. At the asking price, however, it is a substantial risk.Importer: Ole Imports, New Rochelle, NY; www.oleimports.com

The 2006 Manu is a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Garnacha, with the balance Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. It was aged for 13 months in French and Russian barriques. A glass-staining opaque purple, it offers up a complex perfume of violets, wood smoke, pencil lead, incense, black cherry, and blueberry. Succulent, layered, and structured on the palate, this spicy, rich effort will evolve for 3-5 years and offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2026. Importer: Patrick Mata and Alberto Orte, Ole Imports, New Rochelle, NY; tel. (914) 740-4724

The 2005 Manu is 40% Syrah, 40% Garnacha, and the balance Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot aged for 13 months in seasoned oak barrels. Opaque purple-colored, it offers up a super-expressive bouquet of bacon, tar, mineral, pencil lead, blueberry, black raspberry, and licorice. Smooth-textured, layered, ripe, and sweetly-fruited, this forward, pleasurable, lengthy effort has 2-3 years of aging potential but can be enjoyed now and over the next 8-10 years. Importer: Patrick Mata, Ole Imports; www.oleimports.com

This crianza is saucy on the nose, with prune, berry jam and cherry aromas. Zippy and hard, with forward black-cherry flavors. All in all it’s a complete red, with nuances of chocolate and spice. Could stand for some food to tame the hard tannic structure.——M.S.(3/1/2005)—— 85