772 | Wine | $10 to $20, 2006

"It displays an aromatic array of cedar, tobacco, spice box, and black cherry. This is followed by a smooth-textured, savory, elegant offering that can be approached now but will last for another 5-7 years. It, too, is a solid value."

"Black cherry, licorice, mineral and light game flavors have a dark, rather austere character in this firm red, which has a lithe, dense texture, with plenty of backbone. Needs food, but has depth and some intensity."

"Opaque purple-colored, the wine coats the glass. It gives up an alluring aromatic array of wood smoke, mineral, scorched earth, black cherry, black raspberry, and violets. This leads to a medium to full-bodied, layered wine with loads of sweet, spicy dark fruit flavors, ripe tannin, good balance, and a long, pure finish."

"Fresh red berries and a hint of smoke on the nose, with a sexy floral quality coming up with air. Juicy, gently sweet raspberry and cherry flavors display a pinot-like delicacy. Very fruity and almost shockingly polished for a wine at this price point, finishing with admirable clarity and lingering sweetness. This wine is always an excellent value and this year's release is $5 cheaper than last year's bottling."

"The 2006 Malbec spent three years in cask. It has an expressive bouquet of blackberry, dark plum and fig, although it remains a very tertiary-driven aromatics profile. The palate is medium-bodied with an almost Graves-like entry. It feels a little hollow on the mid-palate, while the finish offers light blueberry and spice flavors, but trails off on the aftertaste."