The 2006 Cocina Blend is 60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, and 20% Syrah, was sourced from three regions of Mendoza, and aged for 10 months in 70% French and 30% American oak, 20% new. Purple-colored, it offers notes of cedar, spice box, pencil lead, blueberry, and black cherry. On the palate gamy notes emerge to accompany the sweet fruit. Easy-drinking and seamless, this tasty wine can be enjoyed over the next 5 years. All four of the La Posta wines are outstanding values. Importer: Vine Connections, Sausalito, CA; tel. (415) 332-VINO

“Cocina” means “the kitchen” in Spanish, and this blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah is definitely a kitchen-sink type of wine. It’s stout, a bit reduced and tinny at first, but with air it turns into a nice, simple chunkster with plump baked-fruit flavors and a soft but structured chocolaty finish. Drink now. ——M.S.(11/1/2008)—— 87