The 2012 Selecció Especial is pure Cariñena from centenary vines in the village of Porrera, planted in slopes (no terraces) mostly northeast facing in search of freshness. The grapes are selected one by one and put to ferment in oak vats. It matured in new French oak barrels for 18 months. Cariñena can produce incredibly elegant wines even in a heady and ripe vintage like this one, where the aromas are exuberant, with some oak and spicy aromas and notes of wet slate. The palate is full-bodied, with dusty, grainy tannins and great intensity and power but extremely balanced. This has concentration and clout, fresh minerality and balance to age, but I feel the heat and lack of rain in 2012. - Luis Gutiérrez