Inky ruby. Wild, highly perfumed bouquet evokes cassis, boysenberry, vanilla, licorice and incense, plus a floral quality that gains volume with air. At once weighty and energetic, offering sweet, palate-staining dark fruit flavors and a seamless texture. Turns spicier as it sits in the glass, picking up notes of anise and cracked pepper. The pungent finish leaves sweet floral and dark fruit notes behind, along with a zesty touch of spicecake. Raised in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak, all new.

The 2006 Contino Graciano (100%) spent 13 months in French and Hungarian oak. Dark ruby-colored, it has an exceptionally spicy bouquet along with sandalwood, graphite, damp earth, and black cherry. A bit tightly wound on the palate, its elegant personality is able to poke through along with plenty of layered, savory fruit. Give this well-balanced, lengthy wine another 5-7 years of cellaring and drink it from 2015 to 2026. C.V.N.E. stands for Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana (The Northern Spanish Wine Company) founded in 1879. It is better known as Cune. Importer: Pasternak Wine Imports; www.pasternakwine.com