The 2006 SPECIAL RESERVE is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest Merlot, aged 19 months in French oak. Beautifully constructed, with a serious backbone, this wine seems full in the mouth, with a velvety texture and is mostly a joy to drink. I loved so much about it, but ultimately I had one significant problem, its vegetal notes. The green notes are too obvious on the wine, and the herbaceousness may be a bit of a turn off for some, despite the class and breeding this shows. If it is to your liking, you’ll love it, though. I would have to give the edge here to the lovely 2005. Drink now-2018. The Recanati ‘08s (some of which have been previously reviewed) will not be imported into the USA, the importer advises, in that it is a Shmitta year (see the short article at connected with this issue). Recanati’s interesting wines tend to start with the Reserves. The Diamond Label series is well priced and pleasant enough, but limited in structure and concentration. In fairness, there is a limit to what you can ask of wines in that price range, but assume that brand level is for immediate consumption and uncomplicated drinking. The name comes from the Diamond icon on the label, pointing at the Recanati name.Importer: Palm Bay International, Port Washington, N.Y.; tel: (516) 721-5123.