This flavorful effort should drink well through 2020. The 2005 Clos Figueres, a blend of Garnacha, Carinena, Syrah, and Mourvedre, is opaque purple-colored. It delivers a complex and expressive perfume of smoky oak, pencil lead, mineral, spice box, black cherry, blueberry, and black raspberry. This leads to a dense, opulent wine that still manages to retain some elegance. Ripe and sweet, this hedonistic effort should evolve for 3-5 years and drink well through 2025. Clos Figueres was purchased in 1997 by importer Christopher Cannan on the advice of Rene Barbier. The older Carignan and Grenache vines, planted for the original Clos Figueres estate, are used for the Clos Figueres bottling while the newer vineyards planted in 1998 are used for Font de la Figuera. Rene Barbier’s team handles the viticulture and winemaking. Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com

A little raisiny and obscure, but with air it turns into a lovely lump of darkness. In the mouth, there’s jumpy spice, heat and jammy berry and plum flavors. This wine is less about elegance and ageability and more about pure, ripe and flavorful dark fruit. Drink now through 2013. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines.——M.S.(11/15/2008)—— 91