I had a long thought about whether I preferred the 2012 Flor de Silo Altos de Revilla over the Torresilo, as both wines showed superbly in the 2012 vintage. There's more concentration and depth here, some more spicy oak and power, but perhaps it's a little more obvious. At the end I think they are different in style but at a similar quality level. 3,000 bottles produced.

The 2011 Flor de Silo is produced with fruit from a centenary vineyard of unknown age with poor, stony soils, and yields of 2,000 kilo of grapes per hectare, which is extremely low. It has a roasted character, with notes of charred oak, cured meat, cigar ash and black spices, with ripe, yet terse black fruit, and with lactic hints. The palate is medium-bodied, showing good freshness and balance, very Ribera, with polished tannins, juicy fruit and supple flavors, ending with a mineral twist that is spicy, savory, and almost salty. Drink 2014-2020. Cillar de Silos is a brilliant family project from the Aragon family from Quintana de Pidio, in the Burgos province where they work their 68 hectares of vineyards ranging from 10 to 90 years of age. Importer: Fine Wine Imports Inc., Frederick, MD; tel. (787) 782-8008

The 2009 Flor de Silos also comes from Quintana del Pidio from a single parcel of 90- to 100-year-old vines, raised for 18 months in new French oak. It does not quite have the flamboyance or bravura of the 2009 Torresilos, although there are attractive coconut and rose-petal scents. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of red cherries, orange zest and white pepper, while the finish is focused and shows good tension – the oak allowing the fruit to speak. It should blossom with two or three year’s more aging. Drink 2013-2018. Importer: Carlos Montalvo, Fine Wine Imports, San Juan, PR; tel. (787) 782-8008

The 2008 Flor de Silos Altos de Revilla was sourced from 2 tiny parcels of 80-year-old Tempranillo totaling 4.6 acres. It was aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak before bottling without filtration. Smoke, graphite, mineral, and dark black fruits compose the nose of this complex effort. Savory, spicy, and elegant but in need of a bit more depth and concentration than the vintage could supply, this is still first-class wine that will offer considerable enjoyment between 2013 and 2023. I was also shown the flagship 2008 La Vina de Amalio but it was not singing on the day of my tasting. The Cillar de Silos wines are produced from 100% estate-grown fruit. Importer: Carlos Montalvo, Fine Wine Imports, San Juan, PR; Tel. (787) 782-8008