Black cherry, currant, loamy earth and toast flavors mingle in a silky texture in this gentle red. Firm acidity and supple tannins impart a modest structure, giving way to a perfumed finish. Drink now through 2017. 13,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add

The 2009 Reserva has a modern profile with lactic and coffee notes and ripe red fruit aromas, all of them in a clean style, and a palate where the flavors of the fruit are well-intermixed with those of the oak and it is easy to drink. Drink 2014-2016. I must admit I was a little puzzled by such a wide portfolio from Luis Alegre, which I didn’t know very well, and I was greatly surprised to find some superb wines, including one of my favorite oak-aged whites, and some others that I found excessively oaky and similar to each other. Various American importers, Luis Alegre and Koden brands by Vinos Libres Wine Merchant; www.vinoslibres.com; and Tremo by Barclays Wine Group, www.barclayswine.com

The 2008 Reserva was sourced from older vines (60-80 years) and aged in 80% new French and American oak for 17 months. Cedar, mineral, Asian spices, a hint of balsamic, and black cherry aromas inform the nose of this sweetly-fruited, spicy, full-flavored, well-balanced red that is an excellent value meant for drinking from 2012 to 2020. Despite the fact that it was founded in 1968, Bodegas Luis Alegre is making its debut in this journal. Two white wines were presented for tasting. Importer:Carlos Hubner-Arteta, Vinos Libres, New York, NY; tel. (917) 282-6994

Dark, musty, damson. Very clean, fresh, spicy fruit, but tannins dominate.