The 2007 Synthesis Malbec spent 12 months in new French oak. It is a vineyard selection of the winery’s best Malbec parcels. Purple-colored, it has a perfumed nose of violets, spice box, black cherry, and plum. Supple on the palate with some elegance, it has good depth, layered fruit, savory flavors, and excellent length. Give it 1-2 years to fully unwind and drink it from 2011 to 2017. Importer: The Country Vintner, Ashland, VA; tel. (804) 752-3680

Plush and forward, with toasty mocha and spice notes mingling with raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors. The long, toasty finish will have fans for sure. Drink now through 2009. 1,300 cases made, 300 cases imported.??–JM??Region: Argentina / Mendoza / Tupungato Select to Add

Ripe, full, sweet, oaky and even a touch confectionary, with a whiff of cotton candy blending with resin and spice from the barrels. The palate is superconcentrated, with blackberry and chocolate flavors, and on the finish the oak pushes things toward toast, coconut and burnt logs. Woody, but powerful and appealing. ——M.S.(11/1/2008)—— 88