Sierra Cantabria cuvée is made from 100% Tempranillo vines over 30 years old. From their own vineyards located in farms in Laguardia and Labastida. Hand harvesting using compost. Manual selection of grapes at optimum ripeness and health conditions in the vineyard and winery. Traditional production. Alcoholic fermentation for 8 days with selected yeasts, temperature control between 28 and 32ºC. Cold pre-fermentation maceration (48 hours) and post-fermentation with the skins for 20 days. Pumping twice a day until fermentation is done. Aged for 14 months in French oak Bordeaux (40%) and American (60%) barrels. 4 months in new toasted French oak barrel.
Tasting notes: Cherry red colour. Nose: red plums, ripe red fruits, spices, light notes of vanilla and toasty notes. Palate: rich, well structured, good balance, high quality tannins. Good concentration of fruit. Delicate spicy and oak notes.
What the critics say...
Robert Parker: 86+ points(01/06/2011)
It offers revealing notes of toasty oak, an earthy minerality, cinnamon, clove, and blackberry. Firm on the palate but with a moderate hole in its middle, the question is whether additional cellaring will allow it to fill out.
Proensa Guide: 92 points
Peñin Guide: 92 points(01/01/2012)
Bright cherry red colour, garnet rim. On nose, creamy oak, fine cocoa, sweet spices, toasty, ripe fruit. On palate, ripe fruit, long, tasty, ripe tannins.
Pairing: Aged Cheese, Game Animals, Grilled Red Meats, Legume, Roasts, Stews.
The Eguren family, generation after generation since 1870, have been dedicated to grape growing and to the elaboration and ageing of great wines in one of the most prestigious estates in Rioja.
Sierra Cantabria has made its wine under this brand since 1957, from its 90 hectares of... vineyards. It has an average age of 35 years and is situated in a unique location, between the River Ebro and the Sierra Cantabria mountain range.
Main varieties are Tempranillo, Tempranillo Peludo, Garnacha y Viura.
Marcos Eguren, as winemaker, has managed to adapt its range of wines to current trends, distinguishing, as he suggests, two distinct styles: the traditional Rioja, with the range of the Sierra Cantabria in the lead, and modern Rioja, with Amancio, Murmurón, Special Cuvee, Organza or Finca El Bosque.
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