Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2018: best 2022 to 2033.
vintage4 yrs15 yrs17 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2022 | 2018 | 91/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: red and black cherry, cedar, dried herb, spice
Palate: red fruit, supple tannin, savoury, fresh
The family's accessible estate red: polished, fresh and savoury, a reliable modern Rioja from the Sonsierra.
What it pairs with
-
Cordero asado al sarmiento
Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat. -
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A thick aged-beef chop over embers meets the wine's savoury oak and grip. -
Jamon iberico
Cured Iberian ham echoes the wine's dried-cherry and leather register.
How to serve Sierra Cantabria Cuvee Especial
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cordero asado al sarmiento, Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Jamon iberico. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The Cuvee Especial is the family's core estate red, from the founding vineyards at San Vicente.
- 1957: Sierra Cantabria estate founded
Facts
- Producer
- Sierra Cantabria · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Garnacha (10%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 14 months in French oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 14 to 22 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4 to 15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1957
Frequently asked about Sierra Cantabria Cuvee Especial
What does Sierra Cantabria Cuvee Especial taste like?
On the nose, red and black cherry, cedar, dried herb, spice. On the palate, red fruit, supple tannin, savoury, fresh. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The family's accessible estate red: polished, fresh and savoury, a reliable modern Rioja from the Sonsierra.
When should I drink Sierra Cantabria Cuvee Especial?
Drink 4 to 15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Sierra Cantabria Cuvee Especial?
Cordero asado al sarmiento is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey a la brasa and Jamon iberico. Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat.
Is Sierra Cantabria Cuvee Especial vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Sierra Cantabria Cuvee Especial?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Garnacha (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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