The 2004 Valderiz spent 18 months in French and American oak, 60% new. It comes from a stony soil reminiscent of Chateauneuf du Pape. Purple-colored, it offers a superb bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, scorched earth, black cherry, and blackberry liqueur. Intense, complex, and opulent, it has layers of succulent black fruits and enough structure to evolve for 6-8 years in the cellar. Beautifully balanced and lengthy, it should drink well through 2030. Importer: Chris Campbell, C & P Wines, New York, NY; tel. (917) 846-1708