The red wines begin with the purple-colored 2006 Malbec Q which spent 12 months in French oak. The enticing bouquet offers up notes of cedar, pencil lead, smoke, blueberry, and black cherry. Firm on the palate, the wine has plenty of savory, spicy fruit, good flavors, and an elegant personality. Drink it over the next six years. Familia Zuccardi is a family owned winery started in 1963 when they planted the first vineyard in Maipu, then a desert region, followed in 1973 by a second vineyard in Santa Rosa, another desert.Importer: Adam Sager, Winesellers Ltd, Skokie, IL; tel. (847) 679-0121; fax (847) 679-2017; www.winesellersltd.com

A rich and creamy wine with good structure and plenty of fruit. The nose yields berry essence, vanilla and smoky wood notes, while the palate has depth, layering and composed flavors. There’s coffee and chocolate on the finish, and the texture and length seem just right. It’s oaky for sure, but this vintage of Q can handle it. Drink now through 2012.——M.S.(5/1/2009)—— 91