Two barrel samples from the 2002 vintage reveal that Rotllan Torra has succeeded admirably in this challenging year. The 2002 Amadis, an unfiltered blend of 45% Grenache (90-100-year old vines), 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carignan (90-100-year old vines), and the rest Syrah and Merlot, was aged 10 months in new French oak. Classic notes of black raspberries, sweet cassis, blackberries, steely crushed rocks, and flowers emerge from this medium to full-bodied, pure, dense 2002. It will benefit from another 1-2 years of cellaring, and should drink well for a decade. Importer: Andre Tamers, De Maison Selections Inc., Chapel Hill, NC; tel. (919) 933-4245

Dark in color, while one sniff indicates ripeness at the edge of stewy. There’s unctuous berry jam and raisin to the bouquet, likely a result of late picking. Chunky on the palate, with plum and blackberry. Grabby yet soft, with wide-spread tannins. Finishes with coconut, vanilla and prune. Imported by De Maison Selections, Inc.——M.S.(10/1/2005)—— 86