This deep, impressively saturated ruby/purple-colored 2002 smells like a top classified Bordeaux 2000. While still young, it offers impressive notes of white chocolate, creme de cassis, blackberries, and hints of vanilla and lead pencil shavings. In the mouth, one gets the feel of naturalness in this fleshy, full-bodied red that is both powerful and elegant. Beautiful integration of sweet tannin, acidity, and wood give it accessibility, but it will be even better in 2-3 years. It should evolve for 12+ years. Hopefully, this is a harbinger of what is possible from the appellation of Manchuela. This is the second vintage of this 93% Syrah and 7% Mourvedre blend made by the well-known Spanish journalist and bon vivant, Victor de la Serna. Given the fact that la Serna is a highly respected wine taster and writer, one would expect impeccable attention to detail. The 2001 debut vintage was a revelation for a wine from such young vines, and the 2002 builds impressively on that release. There are 500 cases for the USA market. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767

This inky red delivers alluring flavors of crushed blackberries, toasty oak and wet earth in a velvety structure, with lively acidity that lingers on the floral, spicy finish. International style, and well done. Syrah and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2008. 500 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Manchuela Select to Add