Ugarte Cosecha 2007

By CHRIS and SHERRY HARDIE

Four generations of the Eguren Ugarte family have produced wines in the Spanish region of Rioja, where this red blend takes its name from the Spanish word for harvest.

Spanish wine sales in the U.S. continue to increase as consumers become more familiar with the varieties and the value delivered by one of the world's largest wine producers. This wine is a blend of 80 percent tempranillo - the noble grape of Spain - and 20 percent garnacha, which comes from family-owned vineyards.

Aged in American oak, the wine is a bit husky at first but opens up in the glass with red fruit flavors and a lingering finish with slightly untamed tannins.

Sherry: "Dry, tart cherry with coconut and a little bitter on the finish." Three stars

Chris: "Dusty and dry with flavors of plum, raspberry and licorice." Three and a half stars

Available locally for about $11.