The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Q delivers earth notes, tobacco, spice box, and black currant. This leads to a medium to full-bodied wine with good intensity and grip followed by a firm finish. Drink it through 2017. 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

It’s been many years since we’ve reviewed a Q Cabernet from Zuccardi, and this one is typically oaky, with plum, raisin, rubber, pepper and roasted fruit on the nose. The palate is tannic and firm, with meaty, grabby berry flavors offset by mocha, vanilla, caramel and other wood-driven flavors. Good wine but it comes with some bite and burn.——M.S.(8/1/2009)—— 86