A toasty red, featuring a mix of red and black fruits, spice cake, licorice and smoke notes, with plenty of grip to the long, dark finish. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now. 250 cases imported.??–NW??Region: Chile / Central Valley-Chile / Rapel / Cachapoal Select to Add

The 2007 Rivalta is composed of 64% Carmenere, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Syrah. The aromatics are quite herbaceous but not off-putting and on the palate, this quality adds a dollop of complexity. Supple, round, and tasty, this is a fine effort that does not quite justify the healthy price tag.Importer: TGIC Importers, Woodland Hills, CA; tel: (818)225-5100

The 2005 Rivalta is a blend of 64% Carmenere, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc. Purple-colored, it offers up a multifaceted display of cedar, smoke, scorched earth, red currant, and black currant. It has enough tannin to support an additional 1-2 years of bottle aging but lacks the depth and concentration to justify the asking price.Importer: TGIC Importers, Woodland Hills, CA; tel. (800) 924-0300

The 2003 Rivalta is a blend of 64% Carmenere, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Syrah. Opaque purple in color, it reluctantly offers scents of scorched earth, pain grille, blueberry, plum, and black currants. There are clearly superior raw materials here but the wine remains tightly wound. Should it develop in the bottle as I think it will, my score will appear rather conservative in 6-8 years.Importer: T.G.I.C. Importers, Woodland Hills, CA; tel. (800) 924-0030