The 2014 Abadía de San Quirce Finca Helena feels oakier and more concentrated, but it keeps some freshness and clean flavors, with dusty tannins and a slight bitterness in the finish. It's 15% alcohol and generously oaked. For fans of powerful and oaky Tempranillo. 3,174 bottles were filled in February 2016.

I could immediately perceive the ripeness and warmth of the vintage in the 2011 Abadía de San Quirce Finca Helena, with notes of hay and straw and some other Mediterranean herbs over a core of ripe plums. It's sourced from an old vineyard in the village of La Aguilera that names the wine. It fermented and matured in new 500-liter French oak barrels for some 15 months. 2,169 bottles and 127 magnums were filled in June 2013, so it has had time to get polished in bottle, and the tannins feel mostly resolved. It's quite faithful to the conditions of the year. The price is a different matter...

The 2010 Abadía de San Quirce Finca Helena feels polished and shows some complexity after some time in bottle. Finca Helena is an old vineyard in the village of La Aguilera, province of Burgos, whose grapes fermented and matured in brand new 500-liter French oak barrels for some 15 months. There is quite high ripeness, but without excess, and there are earthy hints and something telluric, mineral. The palate is medium-bodied with good balance, fine tannins and a fine thread of acidity. A very tasty Ribera. 2,227 bottles and 127 magnums were produced.

The 2008 Abadia de San Quirce Finca Helena is produced with grapes from a very old Tempranillo vineyard in La Aguilera, (Burgos) whose malolactic fermentation was carried out in new French oak barrels where the wine subsequently aged for 15 months. It’s still quite oaky and feels a bit rustic, with dusty notes in the nose that appear again in the palate with slightly drying tannins. It seems to have a somewhat vegetal streak, perhaps from the cold growing season. A bit of a question mark today. Drink now-2018. Importer: USA Wine West Chapillon, Portland, ME; tel. (207) 772-2074

The 2001 Abadia de San Quirce Finca Helena is a pure Tempranillo aged for 15 months in barrel. It has an intense bouquet of blackberry, lavender and cassis with fine delineation and well-integrated vanilla-tinged oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a silky smooth texture that builds in the mouth toward the lascivious, saturated black cherry and blueberry finish that maintains fine acidity that lends it so much freshness and vitality. This is superb! Drink 2014-2025+. Importer: Christophe Chapillon; www.chapillon.com