The Tam is the higher end wine and sees longer aging in French oak. The 2008 Bolgheri Pean is a beautiful red laced with sweet dark cherries, grilled herbs, plums, minerals and smoke. It shows gorgeous vibrancy and detail all the way through to the round, delineated finish. Sweet floral and spices notes add the last layers of complexity. This Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend is a great introduction to the wines of Bolgheri. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. These are two beautiful wines from Batzella, an emerging producer on the Tuscan coast. Both wines are 65-70% Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest Cabernet Franc. Importer: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476

Pean (an 80-20 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) is a round, supple and concentrated wine with a full, soft feeling in the mouth and a generously smooth texture. The aromas recall ripe cherry, chocolate and exotic spice. ——M.L.(12/15/2010)—— 91