There was a recent tasting of the Recanati Special Reserve wines at the home of winery owner Lenny Recanati, that in the presence of co-owner Uri Shaked, the winemakers, the winery staff and the P.R. person. I did not attend that tasting largely because I do not feel it "right" to attend tastings at private homes of winery owners but today did a vertical of the various Recanati Special Reserve wines in my own tasting room. My tasting notes follow.

Best
Rogov

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2009: Made from very low-yield vines, dark, almost impenetrable garnet, developed in primarily new French oak, a blend largely of Merlot, that fleshed out with Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Clear notes of crushed berries and spicy oak on the nose, opens to show generous but not overly forward red and black currants, dried spices, bittersweet chocolate and fresh, earthy minerals. Rich, powerfully structured and well focused, this one needs time. Approachable now but showing its elegance best from 2013 or 2014 and then cellaring nicely until 2019, perhaps longer. Tentative Score 92–94. K

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2008: Recanati’s flagship wine, this year a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the rest made up by Petite Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, the various components blended only as the wine was ready to be bottled. Developed in Burgundy oak barriques, a supple and elegant wine showing fine balance and structure that bode well for its future. On the nose and palate well-focused currant, blueberry and blackberry fruits, those on a background of bittersweet chocolate, freshly hung cigar tobacco and sweet spices, with its tannins now integrating nicely. A seamless, deftly balanced and elegant wine. Drink now–2018. Score 94. K

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2007: With its once-firm tannins now settling in nicely and showing fine balance with spicy wood and fruits, showing very well indeed. Dark garnet in color, full-bodied but with a remarkable sense of “lightness” as it sits on the palate, opens with a berry-cherry nose and then goes on to show aromas and flavors of currants, red cherries and wild berries, those on a background of sweet cedar and dark chocolate. Remarkably approachable despite its youth but still cellar-worthy. Drink now–2015. Score 92. K

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2006: A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot. Aged for 19 months in barriques, of which 80% were new, showing full-bodied with still-firm tannins along with generous wood and acidity. No fear, however, for those are settling in nicely and show fine balance with fruits yielding a structure that bodes very well for the future. On the nose and palate hints of chocolate, espresso coffee and tobacco to support rich berry, currant and licorice notes, all coming to a powerful but long and graceful finish. Drink now–2018. Score 93. K

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2005: Living up nicely to its earlier promise. Deep royal purple, full-bodied, with firm, still rough-edged tannins, those integrating nicely with light spicy wood and fruits to show fine bal-ance and structure. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, this is a big, rich and bold wine, with concentrated layers of currant, blackberry, anise and cedary oak flavors. Drink now–2013. Score 93. K

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2004: A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, with generous but not-exaggerated toasty oak and soft tan-nins, those integrating nicely and opening to reveal a rich array of currant, blackberry and black cherry fruits, with gentle overlays of mint and chocolate. As the wine develops look for a hint of cigar tobacco on the long finish. Drink now. Score 93. K

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2003: This deep, broad, gently tannic blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot combines Cabernet currants, cassis and spicy-herbal overtones with typical Merlot softness. Good balance between wood, tannins and fruits, and a long finish. Drink now. Score 92. K
Special Reserve, 2001: As in its youth, deep garnet toward royal purple, full-bodied, with fine balance between well-integrated soft tannins, spicy and mocha-rich oak, and currant, blackberry and ripe red plum fruits. Some variation between bottles but that primarily in fruit intensity. Drink up. Score 90. K