Sierra Cantabria Gran Reserva

2004 Vintage

D.O. Calificada Rioja
Varieties: (98 %) Tempranillo and (2% Graciano)from vineyards older than 30 years.

Tasting Notes: Dark ruby-colored, delivering a nose of roasted herbs, mineral, wood smoke, lavender, and black cherry. Ripe on the palate with plenty of savory fruit, it has good grip, considerable depth, and a lengthy, firm finish.

Origin of the Grapes: Vineyards: Propietary vineyards in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, La Rioja. Average yield: 29 Hls./Ha. (321 gal./acre). Date of harvest: Last week of October 2003. Manually selected clusters with further selection in the winery by means of a sorting table.

Vinification: Traditional, 100% de-stemmed. Fermentation controlled between 28 and 32º C with selected yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) during 8 days. Extended maceration on the skins for 21 days, with two pumpovers daily in the beginning. During the maceration, the pump-overs are reduced so as to avoid the extraction of the bitter and vegetative characteristics.

Aging: Barrel: 24 months in American oak Bordelaise barrels. Age of the barrels: 25 % new oak, 75 % maximum of 3 wines. Racked regularly every 4 months during the first year and every 6 during the second. Bottle: Bottled without filtration February 2004.

Presentation:
Bottle: Traditional Bordelaise, 750 mL, green with U.V. filter.
Cork: 100% natural of the highest quality. 49 mm long, washed and sterilised.
Label: Recyclable paper printed with ecological ink (without heavy metals), with indication of capacity, alcohol content, origin and harvest.
Back Label: Stating the variety, harvest, vinification and ageing. Seal of guarantee from the Consejo Regulador D.O.C. Rioja

Winemaker: Marcos Eguren

Recommendations:
Conservation: constant temperatures lower than 14º C; humidity at 80%. Dark storage
Consumption: Temperature of service: 18º C. It is recommended to decant the bottle between 15 minutes to half an hour before serving. Best between 2007 and 2020.
Recommended pairings: All foods that have intense flavours. Red meats, roasts, stews and all types of game, cured cheeses and foie.

Ratings:

R Parker : ´Perhaps my favourite value winery in Rioja´