The 2006 Sierra Cantabria Crianza was sourced from 3 vineyard sites and aged for 15 months in seasoned American oak before bottling without filtration. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits a pleasing perfume of wood smoke, pencil lead, spice box, violets, and blackberry. On the palate it leans toward elegance with a silky texture, some finesse, and succulent flavors. This balanced Rioja will evolve for 1-2 years and offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2021. 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

Black cherry fruit is ripe and sweet in this fresh, medium-bodied red, backed by modest tannins and lively acidity. Features tobacco, vanilla and spice accents. Drink now through 2012. 2,000 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add