Since
1870 the Eguren family has grown and vinified wines in Rioja. Since
1957 Sierra Cantabria has been made from 90 hectares of vineyards
situated between the River Ebro and the Sierra Cantabria mountain
range. This mountain range protects the vineyard from the cold winds
from the north, enabling the cultivation of high quality grapes. The
vines are an average age of 35 years.
This
wine, 100% Tempranillo, comes from proprietary vineyards located around
the towns of San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Laguardia at an altitude
of 1,860 ft above sea level. Soils are calcareous clay with gravel.
Yields are 384 gal./acre. After manual harvest, the wine undergoes
22 days maceration with two pump- overs daily during the first 8 days
and a light pump-over with reduced frequency afterward to avoid the
extraction of bitter character. Fermentation is temperature controlled.
The wine is aged 6 months in tank and 6 months in 2-3 year old Bordelaise
barrels of American and French oak.
Production:
7,000 cases for the U.S.
Stephen
Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar awarded 2006 Sierra Cantabria Rioja
90 points:
“Deep
red. Spicy redcurrant and strawberry on the nose, with subtle spiciness
and floral notes building. Clean and focused, with brisk red berry
and bitter cherry flavors and no obvious tannins. Elegant, sweet Rioja
with impressive finishing lift and cut. This is a great value.”
