97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2021 Finca El Bosque comes exclusively from Tempranillo planted on deeper, gravelly soils. Aged mostly in new French oak, it's a dense, powerful wine offering impressive cassis and darker currant fruit to go with smoked tobacco, darker chocolate, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. With medium to full-bodied richness, it's flawlessly balanced, has a focused, vibrant, pure profile, ample tannins, and a great finish. It's structured and tannic and will need 3-4 years at a minimum to start to show its potential. Drink: 2027+. (7/3/24)"
96 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "The 2021 El Bosque comes from 1.482 hectares planted in 1973 on deep gravel soils that produce powerful wines. It fermented in oak vats after a cold maceration and matured in new barrels, mostly French (5% were built with oak from central Europe), for 18 months. It has the refreshing effect of the cooler year with more freshness and nice balance. It's a powerful and generously oaked modern expression of Rioja, with more aromatics from the élevage than La Nieta from their project in Páganos. 5,000 bottles were filled in July 2023. Drink: 2025-2036. (2/29/24)"
96 points James Suckling: "Profound, complex yet still accessible, with plenty of anise, dark spices, black pepper, cocoa powder, espresso, graphite, iodine and blackberries. Tight and super polished, with ripe, juicy fruit and a long, powdery finish. A vinous Rioja that delivers pleasure. Drink or hold. (8/9/24)"
96 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$190 list] Aromas of black cherry, chocolate and candied violet emanate from the glass. Dark ruby to the eye, this wine has cassis, blackberry, butterscotch, cherry pipe tobacco and cocoa powder flavors. Alcohol 14.5%. (Oct 2024)"
95 points JoaquÃn Hidalgo (Vinous): "The 2021 Finca El Bosque is 100% Tempranillo. It hails from the El Bosque vineyard, planted in 1973 on "cascajo" gravel soils next to the Ebro River in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels—95% French and 5% Slovenian—this purplish wine unfolds blackberry and sour cherry aromas, accompanied by balsamic and spice notes. Dry, juicy and taut on the palate, the compact and finely textured tannins linger long with an intense, flavorful finish. Distinct from other wines of the Sierra Cantabria Winery, the Finca El Bosque stands out due to the unique character of the vineyard. Drink: 2024-2040. (Apr 2024)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "[$190 list] An enticing nose of dried lavender, thyme and licorice draws you into the glass, where steeped black cherry, raspberry ganache, ripe red currant, oolong tea and mineral flavors are rich and expressive. Sculpted by dense, fine-grained tannins, this expands on the silky-textured palate, showing fine length and integration throughout. Best from 2025 through 2036. 150 cases imported. (4/3/24)"
95 points PeñÃn Guide to Spanish Wine: "Style: hot, exuberant. Color: deep cherry. Aroma: dried herbs, creamy oak, ripe fruit, black fruit, toasty. Flavour: ripe fruit, spicy, round tannins, flavourful. (Jul 2024)"
96 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "The 2021 El Bosque comes from 1.482 hectares planted in 1973 on deep gravel soils that produce powerful wines. It fermented in oak vats after a cold maceration and matured in new barrels, mostly French (5% were built with oak from central Europe), for 18 months. It has the refreshing effect of the cooler year with more freshness and nice balance. It's a powerful and generously oaked modern expression of Rioja, with more aromatics from the élevage than La Nieta from their project in Páganos. 5,000 bottles were filled in July 2023. Drink: 2025-2036. (2/29/24)"
96 points James Suckling: "Profound, complex yet still accessible, with plenty of anise, dark spices, black pepper, cocoa powder, espresso, graphite, iodine and blackberries. Tight and super polished, with ripe, juicy fruit and a long, powdery finish. A vinous Rioja that delivers pleasure. Drink or hold. (8/9/24)"
96 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$190 list] Aromas of black cherry, chocolate and candied violet emanate from the glass. Dark ruby to the eye, this wine has cassis, blackberry, butterscotch, cherry pipe tobacco and cocoa powder flavors. Alcohol 14.5%. (Oct 2024)"
95 points JoaquÃn Hidalgo (Vinous): "The 2021 Finca El Bosque is 100% Tempranillo. It hails from the El Bosque vineyard, planted in 1973 on "cascajo" gravel soils next to the Ebro River in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels—95% French and 5% Slovenian—this purplish wine unfolds blackberry and sour cherry aromas, accompanied by balsamic and spice notes. Dry, juicy and taut on the palate, the compact and finely textured tannins linger long with an intense, flavorful finish. Distinct from other wines of the Sierra Cantabria Winery, the Finca El Bosque stands out due to the unique character of the vineyard. Drink: 2024-2040. (Apr 2024)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "[$190 list] An enticing nose of dried lavender, thyme and licorice draws you into the glass, where steeped black cherry, raspberry ganache, ripe red currant, oolong tea and mineral flavors are rich and expressive. Sculpted by dense, fine-grained tannins, this expands on the silky-textured palate, showing fine length and integration throughout. Best from 2025 through 2036. 150 cases imported. (4/3/24)"
95 points PeñÃn Guide to Spanish Wine: "Style: hot, exuberant. Color: deep cherry. Aroma: dried herbs, creamy oak, ripe fruit, black fruit, toasty. Flavour: ripe fruit, spicy, round tannins, flavourful. (Jul 2024)"
| Product SKU | 349074 |
| Producer | Sierra Cantabria |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Varietal | Tempranillo/Tinto Fino |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 100% Tempranillo |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
