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No 2003 was produced but the 2002 Amancio is an excellent effort for an essentially average vintage. Already quite approachable, it has an enticing balsamic and spice-laden nose, a velvety texture, adequate depth and concentration, and ample savory fruit. Drink it over the next 8-10 years. 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
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(from a high-altitude vineyard) Bright ruby. Very pure aromas of blackberry, licorice and minerals, further lifted by a floral element. Almost painful in its penetration on the palate, with high-pitched flavors of black fruits, menthol and licorice. This boasts terrific cut and structure, and palate-staining persistence. This rather backward wine went through malolactic fermentation in all new French oak, then was racked into another set of new French barriques for another two years.