The 2012 L’Estel is a Garnacha-Syrah blend from clay soils aged for ten months in oak barrels, with a pure, clean nose of ripe black fruit, smoky bacon, vanilla and toast with some violet notes lurking in the background. The palate is quite precise and streamlined, with acidity and polished tannins. This is a very pleasant red, if slightly international, at a very good price. Drink now-2018. Herencia Altes started in 2010 with a good foundation of vineyards, some of them very old, owned by the Altes family of Batea. Modern, clean, well-crafted wines that won’t require a second mortgage. Imported by Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565