2001 Sierra Cantabria Finca el Bosque
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Tasting notes
The 2001 Finca El Bosque is still youthful in color, aromas, and on the palate. Structured and with a deep core of already complex fruit, this lengthy offering will continue to evolve for another 5-7 years and should still be drinking well in 2026. 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
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(100% tempranillo) Deep, saturated ruby. Initially mute nose opened to show blackberry, currant, plum, game and expensive French oak (the wine went through its malolactic fermentation in new barrels). Fat, sweet and superconcentrated, with sappy crushed berry flavors and a complicating saline quality. Superripe and impressively dense, in need of a couple years of additional bottle aging. Also tasted: 2002 Rioja.