The nose of the 2011 Selección de Familia is dominated by the aromas of Syrah, smoked bacon, violets and tar. The grapes of Tempranillo and Syrah fermented in small oak vats and went through malolactic in new French barriques and felt less oaky than in previous years. The palate is quite balanced and sleek, remarkably fresh for the vintage and keeping young and unevolved, but with polished tannins. Ripe, but balanced.

The 2009 Seleccion de Familia is a Tempranillo and Syrah blend that feels oaky to start with. Reading the technical sheets, it turns out the wine carries out its malolactic fermentation in new French-oak barrels where it aged for 14 months. The wine is powerful and concentrated, full-bodied, and generous in tannins and alcohol. This is a big ripe wine that manged to keep its balance within its large size. Drink now-2016. Pago de Cirsus was created in 1997 by Inaki Nunez in Ablitas, a small village in the south of Navarra. The winery is surrounded by 135 hectares of vineyards, but Nunez sold the winery in 2014 to an investor from Venezuela – Alejandro Gomez Sigala. There is a wide range of well-crafted, modern wines produced here, with the signature of French winemaker Jean Marc Sauboua. Importer: Titan Wine and Spirits CO., Woodland Hills, CA; www.titanwineandspirits.com