2021 Sierra Cantabria Mágico

Sierra Cantabria Mágico 2021 is one of Rioja’s rarest treasures: a field blend from a tiny, pre-phylloxera vineyard that survived the crisis of the early 20th century. Sourced from just 1.18 hectares in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, this wine captures a living piece of Rioja’s history in every bottle. With its ancient, mixed-planted vines and meticulous, traditional craftsmanship, Mágico is as much a cultural artifact as it is a world-class red wine.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Sierra Cantabria Mágico shows a fresh, luminous cherry-red hue with a vibrant rim that hints at its energy and youth. The nose is beautifully layered and expressive, opening with wild blueberries, red cherry, and pomegranate, followed by notes of tobacco, cedar, and fine baking spices. Subtle mineral tones, toasted nuances from new French oak, and a faint smokiness add great complexity and depth. On the palate, Mágico is intense yet supremely elegant, with a silk-smooth texture that reflects the concentration of very old vines. The Tempranillo core gives structure and ripe red fruit, while Garnacha adds juiciness and lift; the small amounts of Graciano, Petit Bouschet and other native red and white varieties bring floral high notes, spice, and a distinctive, almost ethereal complexity. The tannins are ultra-fine and velvety, wrapped around a precise line of acidity that keeps the wine fresh and focused. Smoky and toasty undertones from the new French oak are perfectly integrated, leading into a very long, layered finish with lingering notes of cedar, cherry and mineral spice. Built for the long haul, this is a collector’s wine with excellent aging potential; over 10–20+ years it will gain even more aromatic nuance and tertiary complexity.

Production
El Vardallo (also known as Las Sepulturas) is a minute, historic vineyard of just 1.18 hectares in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, spared from phylloxera and home to vines over 150 years old. It is a traditional field blend of red and white Rioja varieties: predominantly Tempranillo (around 65%) with Garnacha, Graciano, Petit Bouschet and others, plus small percentages of old-vine white grapes such as Calagraño, Turruntés (Rioja) and Viura. The soils are sandy loam with very little organic matter, underpinned by a cap of iron- and limestone-rich clay that plays a crucial role in water retention, with mother rock present at relatively shallow depth. The climate is continental with Atlantic influences, moderated by the Sierra Cantabria mountain range. The vineyard is farmed entirely by hand, ploughed by horse, and worked with biodynamic-inspired methods to preserve soil life and biodiversity, with natural fertilization every second year. At harvest, all grapes are handpicked, destemmed and meticulously sorted. All varieties except Garnacha are lightly crushed and macerated in small wooden vats, while Garnacha ferments and macerates separately in a wooden cask. Maceration lasts about 21 days for the main blend and 15 days for Garnacha. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new French oak barriques: the blended varieties in one 500 L and four 225 L barrels, and the Garnacha in a separate 500 L barrel, allowing for precise élevage and integration of oak.

Food & Serving
Sierra Cantabria Mágico 2021 is a gastronomic red designed for refined, flavourful cuisine. It pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled lamb, slow-braised beef or veal cheeks, game birds, and richly sauced dishes such as oxtail stew or Iberian pork. It also shines alongside truffled dishes, mushroom ragù, aged Manchego or other hard cheeses, and dishes featuring fire-roasted peppers or smoked elements that echo the wine’s subtle smokiness. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its elegance and aromatic complexity. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended in its youth to allow the many layers of fruit, spice and mineral notes to emerge fully; with significant bottle age, a shorter, gentle decant will help separate any sediment and open the bouquet.

Producer
Sierra Cantabria is part of the renowned Eguren family’s portfolio, one of the most respected wine dynasties in Rioja and a driving force behind the region’s modern fine-wine reputation. Based in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, they have been cultivating vineyards and crafting wines for generations, combining deep-rooted tradition with a relentless pursuit of quality. Their single-vineyard bottlings, including iconic wines like Teso La Monja in Toro and Mágico in Rioja, have earned international acclaim and cult status among collectors. In 2012, the family’s work was recognized when Hermanos Eguren was named “Best Winemaker of the Year” by the influential American magazine Wine Enthusiast, cementing their position as one of Spain’s leading fine-wine producers and a benchmark for terroir-driven, ageworthy Rioja.

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