In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

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.

History

The Cuvee Especial is the family's core estate red, from the founding vineyards at San Vicente.

  1. 1957 — Sierra Cantabria estate founded

Facts

Producer
Sierra Cantabria
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

Scores

  • Tim Atkin 91 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2022)

Tags

dry garnacha high acid medium body medium tannin medium term mood fruity mood savoury occasion dinner party occasion weeknight old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with charcuterie pairs with red meat price everyday still red tempranillo value pick
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