The 2005 Caus Lubis is one of the few successful Merlot varietals in Spain from a warm, powerful vintage, aged for one year in oak barrels and for eight years in bottle, which gives it a complex bouquet with developed aromas of cured meats, cigar ash, graphite, chocolate, leather, brick dust, smoked paprika and ripe plums, quite complex and elegant, more subtle than powerful, with a polished palate and a fine thread of acidity, fine, dusty tannins and clean flavors, with a very tasty finish. Drink now-2018. Can Rafols dels Caus is a spectacular property in the Garraf subzone of Penedes, a huge calcareous rock where owner Carlos Esteva grows an eclectic collection of red and white grapes and crafts highly personal wines. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565