Bulgariana, Thracian Valley (Bulgaria) 2008

This is an impressively complex wine that offers special interest on multiple counts. It is sourced from Bulgaria, for starters, and includes 5% each of the local varieties Rubin and Mavrud, along with 60% Merlot and 30% Cabernet.  It also shows impressive complexity, with subtle accents of leather, mushrooms and spices on a core of fruit recalling dark cherries and red berries.  Nicely balanced between maturity and freshness, this could be enjoyed immediately, but should hold for several more years as well.