Despite the challenging year, the 2017 Selección Privada feels much more harmonious than the 2016 that I tasted next to it. It's 14.4% alcohol and has a soft palate with much more polished tannins. It matured in barrels for 22 months, but here 15% of the volume was in 500- and 600-liter barrles. A good effort.

The 2016 Selección Privada had sensations of high ripeness, leather, meat and earth and lots of tannins. It's 77% Tempranillo, 18% Garnacha and 5% Mazuelo that comes through as ripe with 14.5% alcohol and too much tannin and oak-related flavors and aromas. It finishes with marked astringency. 13,381 bottles.

There is always a leafy and herbal touch in the nose of whatever vintage, and it's also present in the 2011 Selección Privada--more likely than not, this is from the 20% of 'Other grapes' (Cabernet), which complements the 70% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo and 5% Garnacha that make up the blend. I'm happy to report that I found this 2011 much cleaner and focused than previous vintages, with notes of tobacco, mint, blackberries and spices. Despite being aged in new Russian oak barrels, the oak feels better integrated and seems to have contributed to the polishing of the tannins. It has good acidity and ends with a clear Bordeaux accent. 9,640 bottles produced.