Bellum’s 2005 and 2006 El Providencia bottlings are notable values listed on the Best Buy chart at the end of this report. The 2006 Bellum El Principio is 100% Monastrell sourced from 65- to 85-year-old vines. Deep crimson-colored, it offers an uplifted perfume of spice box, mineral, and blueberry. On the palate the wine reveals a forward personality with excellent flavors, velvety tannins, and 2-3 years of aging potential. It will provide pleasure through 2015.Importer: Patrick Mata, Ole Imports; www.oleimports.com

The 2005 Bellum el Principio comes from 65- to 85-year-old vines and is aged 9 months in French oak. Dark ruby colored, it offers an exceptional perfume of toast, blueberry, blackberry, roasted game, and black cherry. Full-bodied, with a supple texture, the wine is dense and pure with a 30+ second finish. Drink it over the next 4-6 years. The Bellum project, in which Ole Imports is involved, started in 2002. It is dedicated to showing what can be achieved from 100% old-vine Monastrell in the up-and-coming D.O. of Yecla. It goes without saying that the price-to-quality relationship of these wines is extraordinary.Importer: Patrick Mata, Ole Imoprts, New Rochelle, NY; tel. (914) 576-6120