James Suckling - Nov 2, 2020 - Finca Villacreces Ribera del Duero 2017 - 93/100
A red that offers a wealth of plum, chocolate and walnut character. Smoky with redwood undertones. Full body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to soften. Try after 2022.

The Wine Advocate # 246 - Luis Gutiérrez - 30th Dec 2019 - 2017 Finca Villacreces - 93/100 - 2021-2026 - $40
I also tasted the 2017 Finca Villacreces from a very challenging year that they consider very good for their vineyards despite the loss of 50% of the crop. It's a blend of Tempranillo with 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot that matured in French oak barrels (50% of them new) for 14 months. I was pleasantly surprised by this wine, given the extremely challenging conditions of the year; and it didn't only show well on its own, it showed better than the 2016 that I tasted next to it! It's perhaps a lighter year, but the fruit is in the foreground; it's clean and there is no excess ripeness, and the oak felt quite integrated. It's nicely textured and sapid, almost salty. 60,128 bottles and 502 magnums were filled in June 2019.