Zuccardi’s 2007 Zeta is composed of 68% Malbec, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Tempranillo and aged for 14 months in new French oak (for the Malbec and Cabernet) and new American oak (for the Tempranillo).A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up an already complex aromatic array of balsam wood, spice box, tobacco, violets, incense, black cherry, and blackberry. Full-bodied on the palate with layered fruit and spicy flavors, it contains enough structure to evolve for 3-4 years and will deliver peak drinking from 2013 to 2022. Importer: Adam Sager, Winesellers Ltd., Niles, IL; tel. (847) 647-1100

Minty and heavily oaked, with creamy aromas of vanilla bean, milk chocolate and raisiny sweetness. The palate smacks down with a tight, rubbery feel and then unleashes heavy, toasty flavors of herbal berry fruit, raw oak and mocha. Good for a rich, robust wine but it doesn’t excel and it seems a little out of balance. ——M.S.(3/1/2011)—— 87