The 2009 Valtosca is 100% Syrah aged for 12 months in new French oak. Notes of smoked game, bacon, mineral, violets, and blueberry lead to a juicy, sweetly-fruited, pleasure-bent Syrah with a lengthy, pure finish. Drink this excellent value over the next 6 years. Importer: Eric Solomon Selections, Charlotte, NC; Tel. (704) 358-1565

The 2008 Valtosca, in contrast, is 100% Syrah aged for 12 months in new French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up an alluring perfume of smoke, spice box, menthol, mineral, and blueberry. Round, supple, and easy-going on the palate, it is packed with savory fruit leading to a lengthy, pure finish. Drink it over the next 5 years. Casa Castillo’s wines are produced entirely from estate-grown fruit.Importer: Eric Solomon Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

The 2007 Valtosca is sourced from a single vineyard. It is a 100% Syrah cuvee aged for 12 months in new 500-liter French oak. It reveals a flamboyant, kinky nose of wild blueberry accompanied by notes of smoky new oak, pencil lead, and Asian spices. On the palate it shows off a voluptuous personality, layers of succulent fruit, superb depth and concentration, and a 40-second finish. Give this sexy effort another 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it from 2010 to 2018.Casa Castillo has a history dating back to 1870 but came into its own in 1985 when the Vicente family revived the property by reconstructing the vineyards.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565