Sierra de Toloño Rioja 2021

Sierra de Toloño Rioja 2021 is a vibrant, elegantly crafted Tempranillo that captures the cool, high-altitude side of Rioja. Made in small quantities by rising star winemaker Sandra Bravo, this red leans toward finesse and freshness rather than heavy oak and extraction. It stands out as a modern, terroir-driven expression of Rioja, sourced from some of the region’s highest and oldest vineyards.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Sierra de Toloño Rioja 2021 shows a bright, medium ruby color with youthful violet highlights at the rim. The nose is lifted and pure, offering aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry, layered with hints of dried herbs, crushed violets, subtle spice and a touch of graphite from the limestone-rich soils. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and finely textured, with juicy red fruit at the core and a vibrant line of acidity that keeps everything fresh and lively. Silky tannins frame notes of cherry, redcurrant and pomegranate, with gentle savory nuances of thyme, fennel and a light mineral edge on the finish. This is a Rioja that favors precision over power, drinking beautifully in its youth but with the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 5–8 years.

Production
The Tempranillo for Sierra de Toloño Rioja 2021 comes from high-altitude, old vineyards in the foothills of the Sierra de Toloño mountains in Rioja, where cooler temperatures and significant diurnal shifts help preserve acidity and aromatic complexity. The vines grow on poor, rocky soils that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavor. Grapes are hand-harvested in small boxes to protect the fruit, then carefully sorted. Before fermentation, the crushed grapes undergo a cold soak at low temperature in small concrete vessels to extract color and delicate aromas without harsh tannins. Fermentation takes place in these concrete tanks, which provide gentle micro-oxygenation without imparting oak flavors, allowing a pure, unmasked expression of Tempranillo and its high-altitude terroir. Aging continues in concrete and/or neutral containers to maintain freshness and finesse.

Food & Serving
This refined Rioja is a versatile partner at the table, pairing beautifully with grilled lamb chops, roast pork, charcuterie, herb-roasted chicken, or mushroom-based dishes such as risotto and wild mushroom tart. It also works well with semi-hard cheeses like Manchego or Idiazábal. Serve at 15–17°C (59–63°F) to highlight its freshness and aromatic detail. A brief decant of 30 minutes can help the wine open up and soften the tannins, especially in its first few years after release.

Producer
Sierra de Toloño is the personal project of winemaker Sandra Bravo, a young and highly regarded producer who is redefining what Rioja can be. Working with some of the region’s highest and oldest vineyards, she focuses on elegance, freshness and a precise sense of place rather than the traditionally oak-heavy style. Her meticulous approach—hand-harvesting, small-batch vinification and the use of concrete to highlight purity—has quickly drawn attention from sommeliers and critics alike. Sierra de Toloño is now seen as one of the most exciting names in contemporary Rioja, with many tipping Sandra’s wines as future cult classics from the region.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.