The 2008 Malbec Reserva is an upgrade over the regular bottling. It offers more depth, fruit intensity, and length. Nicely balanced, it will provide pleasure for another 5 ears. Santa Julia is a label produced by the excellent Familia Zuccardi winery. The above offerings provide terrific value in wines meant for near-term drinking.Importer: Adam Sager, Winesellers, LTD., www.winesellersltd.com

In this price class, consistency is a virtue, and year after year Santa Julia’s Malbec delivers the basics and a little bit more. This wine has some up-front oak to give warmth, lemon and a mocha or root beer quality to the bouquet. The palate revolves around plum and wild berry flavors, and there’s no shortage of oak and mint on the finish.——M.S.(8/1/2009)—— 87