2018 Monasterio Reserva Especial

I had not tasted the 2016, so from the last vintage I tasted, we jumped to the 2018 Reserva Especial, a wine that could qualify as Gran Reserva, as it spent 27 months in barrique and enough time in bottle to do so. 2018 was a very cool year with lots of rain (700 liters), and the wines have a special freshness. This is evolving at a very slow pace. It's serious and austere despite the alcohol on the label (15%). It has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, up to 25%, and it's noticeable in the wine, the only head-pruned Cabernet they have on the property now, aged 34 years. It has a more Bordeaux-ish profile, more balsamic, with some peppery and spicy notes and very tasty flavors. It has terrific balance on the palate, very elegant tannins, very fine and chalky. It finishes clean, long and with very focused flavors. This could very well be the finest Reserva Especial to date. It matured in 70% new oak and doesn't smell or taste of oak. 4,300 bottles were filled in March 2021.