The purple/black 2009 Lorca Monastrell offers up intriguing aromas of underbrush, brier, game, and blueberry. In the glass it exhibits ample spicy fruit, a bit of underlying structure, and 1-2 years of aging potential. Drink this crowd-pleaser through 2019. The DO of Bullas has the highest elevation Monastrell vines in Spain, more so than neighboring Jumilla, providing a bigger contrast in daytime vs. nighttime temperatures.Importer: Tom George, Frontier Wines, Dover, NJ; Tel. (973) 328-4500

Rosario’s 2008 Lorca Monastrell (100%) spent 8 months in seasoned French and American oak. Medium ruby red, it delivers a pleasant nose of cedar, underbrush, spicy cranberry, and pomegranate. Quite elegant on the palate with a bit of structure, it could use 1-2 years of additional bottle age to round out. It should drink well for another 3-4 years. Three other (pricier) Rosario wines could not be recommended.Importer: Frontier Wine Imports, Dover, NJ; www.wineimport@optonline.net

The 2007 Lorca Monastrell was fermented and raised in stainless steel. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up an alluring nose of underbrush, brier, and blueberry, and black cherry. This leads to a forward, easy-going wine with no hard edges. Drink this pleasure-bent wine over the next three years. Importer: Tom George, Frontier Wines, Dover, NJ; Tel: (973) 328-4500

The 2005 Lorca Monastrell is dark ruby in color with a fruity nose of raspberry and cherry. Medium-bodied with lively, crunchy fruit, it is not complex but it is a very tasty wine for every day quaffing. The Bullas D.O. is significant for having the highest elevation Monastrell vineyards in Spain and accounts for 80% of the production in the region. These two wines from Cooperativa Nuestra Senora del Rosario are good values.Importer: Thomas George, Frontier Wine Imports, Dover, NJ; tel. (973) 328-4500