The 2008 Zubiola is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot aged in barrel for 11 months. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up aromas of cedar, spice box, herbs, cassis, and blackberry leading to an elegantly-styled wine with incipient complexity. Give this smooth-textured, nicely proportioned red another 1-2 years of cellaring and drink it from 2013 to 2020. Importer: Chapillon-USA Wine West

The 2007 Zubiola is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot aged for 11 months in new French and Russian oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it displays an expressive nose of pain grille, graphite, violets, and assorted black fruits. Ripe savory, and structured on the palate, it will continue to develop with another 2-3 years of bottle age and will offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2019. Importer: Brad Jensen, Bon Vivant Imports; www.bonvivantimports.com

A round, fairly rich wine from a good vintage. The nose sports coconut, dill and spicy plum and berry aromas, while the palate is juicy, forward and endowed with dark black-cherry flavors. Vanilla, coconut and a mild herbal essence define the solid finish. ——M.S.(11/1/2009)—— 88