2022 Sierra Cantabria Coleccion Privada

Sierra Cantabria Colección Privada 2022 is a powerful, limited-production Rioja crafted entirely from old-vine Tempranillo. Consistently rated well above 90 points by leading critics, it’s known for its seductive aromatics, layered richness, and impeccable balance. Sourced from just two tiny vineyards planted in the late 1950s, this wine captures the essence of San Vicente de la Sonsierra and represents one of the most refined modern expressions of Rioja.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Colección Privada shows a deep, dense ruby color with violet reflections, hinting at both concentration and youth. The nose is exuberant and complex: ripe strawberries, dark plums, and black cherries intertwine with floral nuances of violets, sweet spices, nutmeg, and a touch of creamy, toasty oak. Subtle hints of cocoa, balsamic notes, and warm earth add further depth as it opens. On the palate, the wine is opulent yet controlled—round, juicy, and mouthfilling, with plenty of finely structured tannins wrapped in lush, ripe fruit. The moderate, well-integrated acidity keeps everything fresh, lifting the rich core of dark berry fruit and spice. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of cherry, spice, and polished oak. Enjoyable now with a decant, it has the structure and concentration to age gracefully for 10–15 years from vintage, gaining even more complexity and tertiary nuances over time.

Production
Colección Privada is sourced from just 4 hectares of vineyards in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in Rioja, specifically the Jarrarte and Valgrande sites, planted in 1957 and 1959. The soils are calcareous clay rich in gravel and small rounded stones, providing excellent drainage and naturally low yields, which concentrate flavor and structure in the grapes. Viticulture is carried out under environmentally integrated, sustainable practices, respecting the vine’s natural rhythms, using organic fertilization and strict hand-harvesting, followed by a double sorting of the clusters at the winery. Vinification is traditional yet precise, with two separate fermentations: about 50% destemmed and 50% with whole clusters, and a skin maceration of around 14 days. Daily pump-overs—more vigorous at the start, gentler toward the end—ensure optimal extraction. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel, and aging for about 16 months in 100% new oak, split between French and American barrels.

Food & Serving
This is a superb gastronomic Rioja that pairs beautifully with richly flavored dishes: grilled or roasted lamb, Iberian pork, aged beef, game birds, and slow-cooked stews such as ossobuco or braised short ribs. It also shines with mature hard cheeses like Manchego, Comté, or aged Gouda, and earthy mushroom dishes. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in generous red wine glasses. Decant for 1–2 hours in its youth to allow the aromatics and structure to fully unfurl; older bottles will benefit from a shorter, gentle decant to remove sediment and let the bouquet blossom.

Producer
Sierra Cantabria is a family-owned estate with deep roots in Rioja, renowned for its meticulous vineyard work and consistently high-quality, terroir-driven wines. Based in San Vicente de la Sonsierra—an area long considered one of Rioja’s greatest sources of Tempranillo—the Eguren family has become a benchmark producer, combining traditional know-how with a modern, detail-focused approach in the cellar. Their top cuvées, including Colección Privada, have garnered repeated high scores from major international critics and helped cement the estate’s reputation as one of the leading names in contemporary Rioja, celebrated for wines that are both expressive of place and capable of long, graceful aging.

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