The textbook Mediterranean Bordeaux blend 2016 Gran Caus has one of the most beautiful labels in Spain and is now a classical red from Penedès from the era of the French grapes that have adapted well, despite the difficult Merlot, the one that ripens a lot and can achieve very high alcohol to ripen properly. In the 2016 vintage of warmth and very high concentration, the grapes had thick skins and little juice. The wine is herbal, spicy and round, with abundant dusty tannins, 15% alcohol and very good pH. This blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon produced 5,000 bottles. It was bottled in October 2017.

I received the 2010 Gran Caus when I should have received the 2011. This is still going strong with its Bordeaux core and the Mediterranean character; it's serious, balanced, fresh and polished but still lively and evolving very slowly. It would make a very good ringer in a blind tasting and shows the strength of the Bordeaux varieties in the Penedès. It has notes of cherries in liqueur, aromatic herbs and a spicy twist. The tannins are fully resolved, and it's drinking very nicely at the moment.

They always release the wines quite late, and the Bordeaux blend 2008 Gran Caus was still not labelled even when the wine had been in bottle since 2010. It has a classical nose with herbal aromas intermixed with blackberries and more developed notes of forest floor and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine, elegant tannins and very good acidity. It's polished and ready, with life ahead. It's a textbook blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 11,000 bottles.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the nose on the 2006 Gran Caus Tinto is very lifted and heady, with macerated cherries, game and a touch of soy. The palate is medium-bodied with a very sweet, fleshy entry. There are touches of sweet cherry fruit, fig, marmalade and orange rind; however, it is missing a little tension and vibrancy towards the finish. Drink now-2017. I covered Can Rafols dels Caus on Wine-Journal at the tailend of 2011, when Carlos Esteva visited the UK. The estate is located in the Garraf Massif at around 600 metres above sea level and includes 450 hectares of vine. As has been mentioned previously, their policy is to release wines when they are reached their drinking plateau – a policy I respect, though of course, the best time depends upon which stage of evolution you like to drink your wines! Importer: Steve Miles Selections, Denver, CO; tel. (303) 495-3811 and in the UK, www.indigowine.com

The 2005 Gran Caus Tinto is a very Bordeaux-like blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with Mediterranean touches that aged in oak barrels for one year. It has a developed bouquet of tobacco, pencil shavings, rosemary, thyme, chocolate and dark plums, which is very attractive and intense. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with resolved tannins and very good acidity. This is classy, balanced and mature, ideal to have with food. A very good Mediterranean Bordeaux blend. Drink now-2020. Can Rafols dels Caus is a spectacular property in the Garraf subzone of Penedes, a huge calcareous rock where owner Carlos Esteva grows an eclectic collection of red and white grapes and crafts highly personal wines. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565