Der Reserva Seleccion Especial 2018 ist eine Cuvee aus 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo & Gracian. Komplex in der Nase mit satter Frucht von Waldeeren und schwarzen Früchten, gefolgt von schwarzem Pfeffer und dezentem Holz. Am Gaumen herrlich intensiv und doch elegant, harmonisch mit frischen, roten Beerenfrüchten und Würze. Elegante und kraftvolle Tannine mit frischer und saftiger Säure, Das Lesegut wird streng selektioniert. Gärung in großen Eichenholzfässern mit natürlichen Hefen, danach folgt die malolaktische Gärung. Ausbau z.T. in neuen Barriques, der Rest in Zweitbelegung für 30 Monate und weiterer Ausbau in der Flasche. 

James Suckling 
resh and dried cherries, oyster shells, spice box and dried herbs on the nose. Flint stone, too. Structured, mineral and very fresh with tight and fine-grained tannins and a medium body. Vibrant and fragrant. Lightly austere at the end. Smaller production and greater selection this year - only Rioja Reserva and Seleccion Especial made. Try from 2024. 

Wine Advocate 
2018 was a cooler vintage, with a fairly long maturation, which made the wines somewhat fresher and less alcoholic, as showcased by the 2018 Selección Especial, a classical blend of the four red varieties from Rioja, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano with contained ripeness (14.05% alcohol) and good freshness. It fermented in oak casks with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels, 40% of them new, for 26 months. They were not very happy with the vintage and had to sort and discard, but as they didn't produce Prado Enea, Torre Muga or Haro, those grapes went into this wine. They are reluctant about 2018, but I think it was a vintage capable of the best and the worst, and this 2018 is floral, expressive and elegant. It's medium to full- bodied, with very fine, chalky tannins, combining power and elegance. Amazing! 187,200 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2021.