2019 Sierra Cantabria Amancio Methusalem (5 liter)

The 2019 Sierra Cantabria Amancio Methusalem (5L) is a collector’s bottling of one of Rioja Alta’s most coveted single-vineyard Tempranillo wines. Sourced from the Eguren family’s finest parcels in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, this is a powerful yet finely sculpted expression of the estate’s top cuvée, presented in an ultra-rare Methusalem format. Only a handful of these 5-liter bottles are produced, each delivered in an elegant original wooden case (OWC), making it as impressive on the table as it is in the glass.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Amancio shows an intense, deep cherry-red color with a dense, almost opaque core and a vibrant rim that hints at its youth and energy. The nose is wonderfully layered: ripe blackberries, black cherries, cassis and fig unfold alongside graphite-like minerality, black licorice, dark roasted coffee and subtle cocoa from the fine-grained French oak. On the palate, this is a medium to full-bodied Rioja of great finesse and concentration. The attack is rich with dark fruit, yet the texture is remarkably silky and supple, with velvety tannins that feel polished rather than aggressive. Smoky and toasty notes from the new French oak are beautifully integrated, framing flavors of black forest fruits, plum compote, sweet spice and a measured touch of balsamic. The balance between ripe tannin and fresh acidity is excellent, leading into an exceptionally long, harmonious finish. In this 2019 vintage, the wine feels particularly fresh and youthful, with very fine tannins and seamlessly integrated oak, indicating significant aging potential. Properly cellared, this Methusalem should continue to evolve gracefully for 15–25 years, gaining further complexity and tertiary nuances.

Production
Amancio is crafted from the Eguren family’s 16.5-hectare estate in La Veguilla, with grapes sourced exclusively from their four best parcels in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in the heart of Rioja Alta. The terroir is marked by calcareous clay soils topped with small rounded limestone stones, which provide excellent drainage and a distinctive mineral backbone to the wine. Yields are extremely low, prioritizing concentration and purity over volume, and the vineyards are organically fertilized and farmed with organic practices to preserve soil health and biodiversity. Harvest is carried out by hand, followed by an exceptionally strict manual selection: grapes are destemmed berry by berry, ensuring that only the best fruit enters the fermentation. A cold pre-fermentation maceration of six days enhances aromatic expression and color, after which fermentation takes place in small 5-hectoliter oak vats. During this phase, the cap is traditionally trodden by foot twice daily for the gentlest possible extraction of tannins and flavor. Malolactic fermentation and subsequent aging occur in new French Bordeaux barriques over 24 months, followed by a further 6–12 months of bottle aging before release, allowing the wine to knit together and gain additional refinement.

Food & Serving
This is a commanding yet refined Rioja that shines alongside richly flavored dishes. Think slow-braised lamb shank, roast suckling pig, beef ribeye or chuleton, game birds, venison stews, or deeply flavored mushroom ragù with truffle accents. Aged hard cheeses such as Manchego curado, Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano also make excellent partners. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Given the wine’s concentration and structure—especially in a 5L Methusalem format—decanting is strongly recommended: 2–3 hours before serving for current drinking, and longer for those who prefer the wine more open and expansive. The large format will help preserve freshness over the course of an extended dinner or celebration.

Producer
Sierra Cantabria is one of the flagship properties of the Eguren family, a dynasty with deep roots in Rioja and a reputation for crafting some of Spain’s most acclaimed Tempranillo-based wines. Based in San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja Alta, the family has long championed meticulous vineyard work, low yields and parcel-specific winemaking to highlight the nuances of their exceptional terroirs. Over the years, their wines have earned consistently high praise from leading critics such as Robert Parker, Stephen Tanzer and the Guía Peñín, cementing Sierra Cantabria’s status as a benchmark producer in the region. Amancio stands at the pinnacle of their portfolio, a micro-cuvée that showcases the very best fruit and most exacting cellar work the estate can offer, and the Methusalem edition represents one of the rarest and most impressive formats of this iconic Rioja.

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