Two barrel samples from the 2002 vintage reveal that Rotllan Torra has succeeded admirably in this challenging year. The French oak-aged, unfiltered 2002 Tirant (a blend of old vine Grenache and Carignan, with slightly more Merlot and Carignan than the Amadis) is a limited cuvee of just under 10,000 bottles. Sweet aromas of blue and black fruits interwoven with flowers and vanillin are followed by a dense, rich, explosively ripe, concentrated wine boasting loads of character, a real terroir feel, and a sweet, pure finish. Give it 1-2 additional years of bottle age, and consume it over the following decade. Importer: Andre Tamers, De Maison Selections Inc., Chapel Hill, NC; tel. (919) 933-4245

Ripe and rich; it pushes the limit toward raisiny but doesn’t cross the boundary. As a result, the sweet bouquet oozes kirsch, licorice and spice. Stays thick on the palate, but not particularly heavy. Flavors of baked black fruit, mocha and espresso impress, with accents of cinnamon and herbs popping through. Complex and out of the ordinary. Imported by De Maison Selections, Inc. ——M.S.(10/1/2005)—— 91