2002 El Bosque
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Tasting notes
No 2003 was produced but the Bodega turned in a fine effort with its 2002 Finca El Bosque. Herbal and balsamic aromas dominate the nose while on the palate the wine is quite forward and nearing its peak. This tasty effort should provide pleasurable drinking over the next 6-8 years. Bodegas Sierra Cantabria is another outstanding Rioja estate owned and operated by the Eguren family. The highlight of my visit in May, 2010 was a vertical of their two renowned single vineyard wines, Amancio and Finca El Bosque. Not to be overlooked is their complete portfolio of new releases, several of which are superb values. The Amancio cuvee comes from a single vineyard of the same name. There is a severe triage in the vineyard before the grapes reach the sorting table. It spends 24 months in new French oak using a “200% new oak” aging regimen before bottling without fining or filtration. The Finca El Bosque Vineyard is a 4 acre parcel of Tempranillo planted on gravel in 1973. The wine is put through ML in new oak and spends 18 months in new, mostly French oak. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Bright ruby-red. Highly perfumed aromas of cassis and licorice. Densely packed and superconcentrated, with vibrant, explosively fruity flavors of black plum, cassis and licorice perfectly framed by ripe acidity. Expands impressively in the mouth, then finishes extremely long, with noble tannins. A dark-chocolatey fruit bomb of a Rioja, more forward and less muscular than the Amancio, and more satisfying now. Another outstanding effort for the vintage. .