2006 El Bosque
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The 2006 Finca El Bosque is relatively advanced with its enticing aromas of balsamic, exotic spices, and black cherry aromas and flavors. It has enough stuffing to evolve for 4-6 years and will offer prime drinking from 2014 to 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
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(100% tempranillo) Inky purple. Musky scents of dried cherry, candied plum, underbrush, tobacco and violet. Creamy blueberry and cassis flavors are supported by smoky minerals and framed by chewy tannins. The floral quality reappears on the back end, along with a hint of black tea. Dense and serious Rioja with a long, chewy, spicy finish leaving smoke and cracked pepper notes behind. This big boy deserves patience.
Glass-staining purple. Blackberry, blueberry and Asian spices on the nose, with subtle floral and mineral elements gaining power with aeration. Fleshy and sweet, with deep dark berry liqueur flavors and a velvety texture. Turns firmer on the finish, which strongly repeats the blueberry note and seems not to want to end. Impressively graceful for a wine with such flavor impact; I'd hold off opening mine for at least another three years.
The 2006 Finca El Bosque is relatively advanced with its enticing aromas of balsamic, exotic spices, and black cherry aromas and flavors. It has enough stuffing to evolve for 4-6 years and will offer prime drinking from 2014 to 2026. Jay Miller, eRobertParker.com # 189 Jun 2010