The 2008 Salinas 1237, from a relatively cool vintage, is a different animal altogether. This is a blend of old-vine Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a cold pre-fermentative maceration, a maceration of 25 days and aged in new French oak barrels for 21 months. It’s very dark, opaque cherry-colored, and has a smoky nose with notes of cured meat and a modern profile. It wears its 15% alcohol with elegance and balance. It’s long and supple. A powerful wine that requires red meat or a powerful stew on a cold winter day to balance the abundant tannins it has. It still needs some time to absorb the oak, which after all these years is a bit worrying, but it then should provide pleasure for some years. Drink 2015-2020. Created in 2000 by the Castano family from Yecla, who fell in love with the scenery and the old vines they found in the village of Villena, Alicante, not very far from Yecla at all. They own 52 hectares of dry-farmed Monastrell and some Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot planted at 700 meters above sea level. They now produce 350,000 bottles of wine from Alicante. Importer: European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565, www.europeancellars.com