The 2021 Finca Sandoval follows the path of the impressive 2020, with an exuberant Syrah nose, all violets, tar, smoked bacon fat and hints of orange peel. This is a blend of 80% Syrah, 10% Bobal and 5% each Moravia Agria and Touriga Nacional. The Syrah is the first they harvest, from the higher part of the vineyard with low-yielding clones that deliver small clusters. It fermented with 50% full clusters, indigenous yeasts and 15 days of maceration, and it matured in a 5,000-liter oak foudre. It has 13.5% alcohol, with full development of aromas and flavors, tight and vertical, a medium-bodied palate and very fine and elegant tannins. It's super perfumed and elegant, with structure, balanced and super fresh and tasty with lots of energy and an ethereal twist. This is the finest vintage to date. 6,300 bottles were filled in January 2022.

I also tasted the 2020 Finca Sandoval, which is 80% Syrah from their best plots with 15% Bobal and 5% Moravia Agria that give it more freshness. It fermented with 40% full clusters and matured in large oak foudre for 18 months. This is very northern Rh?ne Syrah, with intense varietal aromas of violets, dark berries, smoked bacon, tapenade and a touch of tar, à la Gonon. It's juicy, powerful and balanced, with very fine tannins, combining concentration with elegance. This has to be the finest Finca Sandoval and one of the purest expressions of Syrah in Spain. Bravo! 8,200 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2022.

The 2019 Finca Sandoval was produced with 90% Syrah from selected plots of their vineyards and 10% old-vine Bobal. It has 13.5% alcohol and good balance and freshness. It fermented with 30% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in 300-liter French oak barrels for 18 months. There is a faint hint of licorice, ink and leather, black fruit and an earthy touch. There is some rusticity, some grainy tannins and a dry finish. 7,000 bottles were filled in January 2021.

The 2016 Finca Sandoval was produced with 70% Syrah and 15% each Monastrell and Bobal with 15% alcohol and moderate acidity. It fermented with indigenous yeasts, went through malolactic in barrel and matured in 300-liter French oak barrels for 12 months. Tasting this next to the current vintages revealed a completely different style and character. This is still quite closed, austere and oaky, very spicy, with notes of cinnamon and vanilla. It has notes of cured meat and black peppercorns and is very ripe and powerful. There are abundant, grainy tannins and an astringent finish. A blast from the past, completely different from the 2020. 8,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2018.

The eponymous 2015 Finca Sandoval wants to show the limestone character of the estate soils. In 2015, it's 78% Syrah, 16% Monastrell and 6% Bobal that fermented with indigenous yeasts after a cold soak. The élevage was in 300-liter oak barrels for 14 months. It's a ripe and powerful Mediterranean red blend with 15% alcohol and moderate acidity. It has a floral nose with notes of ripe raspberries and a spicy twist. The palate is medium to full-bodied with some grainy tannins. It's a powerful red, but it seems fresher and the oak is better integrated than in past years. It feels like there is a shift in style here. It has supple flavors and a long, tasty finish. 7,500 bottles were filled in October 2016. There is no 2017 or 2018 because of the challenging conditions of those vintages.