2018 Tinto Pesquera Janus Gran Reserva Ribera del Duero, Spain

(99 Points) The producer’s top wine, first made in 1992 (the year it changed its methods of winemaking from its old original site to a new winery still in existence today), the 2018 Janus is not made every year. It’s an homage to the classic wines of the region and to the winery itself, named for a Roman/Greek god, one looking to the past and one to the future. From one vineyard site called La Rendeja littered in white limestone soils, it is extremely refined and highly structured, with an essential imprint of American oak. Powerful tannins with a touch of rusticity support a full-bodied core of black licorice and vanilla that lead to a smooth, velvety finish. Aged 28 months in barrel, it should hold its grace another 30-40 years. It’s a complete wine and rare, with no certainty around when another Janus might be produced. - Jeb Dunnuck