After the challenging 2017 vintage comes the 2018 Llanos del Almendro, the wine they consider to reflect the elegance of the wines from the Atauta Valley. 2018 was not easy: they suffered frost and it was a slow ripening, but the warm and dry weather in September and October allowed for perfect harvesting conditions. The wine is ripe and powerful with dark berry fruit and generous spice plus a smoky and toasty twist. They have multiple micro-plots—19, in this case—and only the best are selected for this bottling, with the rest going to the Dominio de Atauta cuvée. It fermented in 1,000-liter stainless steel vats with indigenous yeasts followed by malolactic before the wine was transferred to second use French oak barrels where it completed 18 months of aging. It feels very young, lively and balanced; it's aging very slowly and has very fine, chalky tannins. 1,267 numbered bottled were filled in July 2020. Superb.

Fragrant with bay leaf and sandalwood notes, this dark, graceful red knits fine, chalky tannins with a generous core of black plum reduction, herbed olive and hints of mocha and balsamico. Shows good focus and length on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 141 cases made, 30 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero Select to Add

Surprisingly enough, the 2017 Llanos del Almendro has lower alcohol and more acidity than the 2016. But the cycle was shorter, and the texture of the tannins is different, grainier here; the wine might need more time in bottle. All of these wines ferment with indigenous yeasts, and the long élevage is all in used barrels to respect the character of the places. The oak is very integrated and not marked in any of the single-vineyard wines. 1,573 numbered bottles were filled in August 2019.

A bold, medium- to full-bodied red, with aromas and flavors of fig cake and baking spice that glide across the palate. This is framed by sculpted tannins and lightly juicy acidity, with hints of espresso, mineral and wild sage lingering on the finish. Best from 2024 through 2030. 142 cases made, 30 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero Select to Add

The next vintage after 2014 is the 2016 Llanos del Almendro, from one of the places with sandy soils with silt that produces very elegant wines. It has an explosive nose that is floral, exuberant, very open and expressive, with a silky palate. It's from 1.39 hectares in 19 plots, and they do two vinifications (by soil) from plants averaging 140 years of age (!). It's intense, balanced and expressive, with very fine tannins, a little Burgundian, if you like. It's fluid, medium-bodied and has very good ripeness. This has to be one of the finest wines they have ever produced here! 1,662 numbered bottled were filled in September 2018.