The purple-colored 2006 Villa de Corullon offers up a super-fragrant bouquet of lavender, incense, black cherry, and black raspberry. Elegant and multi-dimensional on the palate, it has gobs of ripe fruit, succulent flavors, and impeccable balance. It has several years of aging potential and should offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2021. This estate was founded in 1998 by Alvaro Palacios. It has steep hillside vineyards ranging in age from 60 to 100 years planted to 100% Mencia, the indigenous grape of cool-climate Bierzo. Importer: Manny Berk, The Rare Wine Company, Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484

Distinctive and alluring, this sinuous red delivers cherry, cranberry, sandalwood, tobacco and mineral flavors over light, firm tannins that give way to a floral and licorice finish. Drink now through 2014.??–TM??Region: Spain / Bierzo Select to Add

A high level of purity from the start. The bouquet attracts with strong scents of mineral, flowers, wild herbs, berry fruit and toast. There’s no shortage of bracing acidity, so the body weight and balance are just right. One of Spain’s most food-friendly, elegant wines, and not run of the mill. The best expression of Mencia on the market today. ——M.S.(10/1/2009)—— 92