Sierra Cantabria, Finca El Bosque Rioja, 2019
Sierra Cantabria, Finca El Bosque Rioja, 2019
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Tempranillo
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2040
About Sierra Cantabria, Finca El Bosque Rioja, 2019
The 2018 Viñedos Sierra Cantabria Finca El Bosque is a deep, inky blue-black Rioja that immediately grabs your attention. The nose is complex and refined, with floral tones, wild herbs, blackberry, crème de cassis, and layers of creamy toasted oak and coffee spice. On the palate, it’s rich, dense, and structured, showing a powerful mix of fruit, oak, tannin, and acidity - all in beautiful balance.
Made from 100% Tempranillo grown on the gravelly 1.5-hectare El Bosque vineyard (planted in 1973), this micro-cuvée showcases the full potential of mature vines. Each berry is hand-selected, and the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and 18 months of aging in new French and Romanian oak. A standout Rioja.
Currently in its youth with primary dark fruit dominating, this 2019 will begin integrating over the next 2-3 years as the oak softens and melds with the fruit. Secondary complexity will emerge around 2028-2030, revealing leather, tobacco, and earthy notes whilst maintaining its mineral backbone. The wine should reach its peak between 2030-2035, showing full integration of all elements. With proper storage, it will hold this plateau until at least 2040, slowly developing tertiary aromatics of forest floor and spice.
What the critics say:
"This has very fine tannins and is driven, with a long, linear finish. Subtle and complex aromas and flavors of dark berries, minerals, sage and lavender bush. Medium body. Fresh finish. A little tight at the end. Drink or hold."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep, inky blue-black with a dense core and purple rim.
NoseComplex and refined aromatics open with dark berry fruit, crème de cassis, and floral violet tones. Wild Mediterranean herbs emerge alongside creamy toasted oak, coffee spice, and a whisper of sage and lavender. The nose builds in intensity, revealing mineral depth beneath the fruit and oak integration.
PalateRich and structured with impressive density, showing powerful dark fruit balanced by fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. The oak is well-integrated, adding spice and texture without overwhelming the pure Tempranillo character. Medium-bodied with excellent balance between fruit, oak, tannin, and acidity.
FinishLong and linear with a mineral-driven conclusion that shows subtle tightness, suggesting further development ahead.
Overall impressionA sophisticated micro-cuvée that showcases mature vineyard fruit with serious ageing potential and remarkable complexity.
Food Pairings
In the Basque country and Rioja, this wine would traditionally accompany roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic, or the region's famous chuletón - thick-cut grilled beef ribs cooked over vine prunings. Wild game like venison or boar, slow-cooked with local herbs, would be classic pairings, as would aged Manchego cheese and jamón ibérico. The wine's structure and tannins make it perfect for the region's hearty, rustic cuisine that celebrates the marriage of meat, fire, and time.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-18°C to allow the complex aromatics to express fully. Decant for 1-2 hours to soften the tannins and integrate the oak, particularly if drinking now. Use large Bordeaux glasses to concentrate the aromatics whilst providing adequate surface area for aeration. This wine will benefit from decanting throughout its drinking window, though less time will be needed as it matures.
The El Bosque vineyard spans just 1.5 hectares of gravelly soils in Rioja Alavesa, planted with old Tempranillo vines from 1973. This combination of mature rootstock and well-draining gravel produces fruit of exceptional concentration and complexity. The cool microclimate and altitude help preserve acidity whilst allowing full phenolic ripeness, creating wines with both power and elegance that can age for decades.
Rioja is Spain's most prestigious wine region, divided into three sub-zones: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Baja. The Denominación de Origen Rioja system classifies wines by ageing: Crianza (2 years minimum, 1 in oak), Reserva (3 years, 1 in oak), and Gran Reserva (5 years, 2 in oak). Modern producers like Sierra Cantabria increasingly focus on single-vineyard expressions that showcase specific terroir rather than traditional age classifications, representing a new chapter in Rioja's evolution.
The 2019 vintage in Rioja delivered what many producers had been hoping for after a string of challenging years. The growing season brought well-timed rainfall in spring followed by warm, dry conditions through summer and harvest, allowing grapes to ripen steadily without the stress that marked some recent vintages. Harvest began in late September under ideal conditions, with producers able to pick at optimal ripeness levels across both Tempranillo and the supporting cast of Garnacha and Graciano.
What emerged were wines with immediate charm but serious underlying structure – Tempranillo showing rich, dark fruit with firm tannins that promise good ageing potential, while Garnacha contributed its typical spicy warmth without the overripeness that sometimes mars warmer years. The quality is consistently high across all price levels, from young wines through to the gran reservas that will define this vintage's reputation. Most 2019 Riojas are drinking beautifully now, particularly the joven and crianza bottlings, whilst the reservas and gran reservas should reward patience until 2030 and beyond.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Rich and structured with dark berry fruit, floral notes, and creamy oak spice. It's powerful yet refined, with fine tannins and excellent balance.
When should I drink this wine?
Approachable now with decanting, but will reward patience. Drink between 2026-2040, with peak enjoyment from 2030-2035.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Perfect with roasted lamb, grilled beef, wild game, or aged cheeses. The structure handles rich, savoury dishes beautifully.
Should I decant this wine?
Yes, decant for 1-2 hours to soften tannins and integrate the oak. Use a large glass to concentrate the complex aromatics.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely. This is a serious age-worthy Rioja that will develop beautifully over 15+ years, gaining complexity whilst maintaining its fruit character.
What makes this wine special?
It's a micro-cuvée from a tiny 1.5-hectare vineyard of old vines, with hand-selected berries and meticulous winemaking. Only small quantities are made each vintage.
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