Sierra Cantabria Reserva Unica, Rioja DOCa, Spain

Shadowy fruit, polished oak, and a luxurious sense of depth unfold instantly in 2020 Sierra Cantabria Reserva Unica, a wine that radiates quiet power from the first swirl. Concentrated black fruit and brambly tension meet a cool mineral line, while warm notes of chocolate, cedar, fig, and date emerge slowly, creating a seamless interplay of richness and finesse. One sip fills the palate with plush texture and graceful structure, an enveloping, expressive Reserva that borders on Gran Reserva complexity.

Product Details:

• Varietals: 97% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano
• ABV: 14.5%
• Vineyard: La Llana single vineyard (planted 1985)
• Farming: Practising organic, dry-farmed; biodynamic elements used

Sensory Description:

Lush aromas of bramble, plum, and red cherry rise above darker nuances of cocoa, cedar, and dried fig. The palate reveals concentrated black fruit wrapped in fine, velvety tannins, supported by precise acidity and a creamy richness that glides effortlessly from start to finish. Subtle Graciano spice brings lift and definition, while a long, radiant finale leaves impressions of mineral tension, warm spice, and deep red fruit purity. A beautifully balanced Rioja with both immediate allure and exceptional longevity.

Awards & Accolades:

• 95 — Jeb Dunnuck (Virginie Boone)
  “Delicate and finessed yet powerful, with concentrated black fruit, precise acidity, and profound elegance. Long-lived; drink 2025–2045.”
• 93 — James Suckling (Zekun Shuai)
  “Flowers, plums, and bramble berries with restrained oak, fine-grained tannins, and a bright, long finish.”

Winemaker's Background:

The Eguren family, pioneers of single-vineyard, Burgundy-inspired terroir expression in Rioja, craft Reserva Única from La Llana, a contiguous vineyard perched along the northern banks of the Ebro. Practising organic viticulture and meticulous manual work ensures purity and precision in every vintage. Grapes undergo rigorous double sorting before long maceration and malolactic fermentation in barrels. The wine ages 24 months in a mix of French and American oak, racked regularly in the family’s subterranean cellars, where cool temperatures and high humidity allow exceptionally slow, gentle evolution. This rigorous, detail-driven approach has made Sierra Cantabria a benchmark for structured, elegant, site-driven Rioja.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled red wine glass to showcase its depth and aromatic nuance. A brief 45–60 minutes in a decanter will soften the youthful tannins and expand the wine’s layered texture. Ideal companions include roasted lamb, charcoal-grilled ribeye, mushroom ragù, aged Manchego, or dishes featuring rosemary, thyme, or smoked paprika. Pour 5–6 oz at a time to allow oxygen to work its magic and preserve balance throughout the bottle.

2020 Sierra Cantabria Reserva Unica is a radiantly structured Rioja of remarkable poise, a wine that captivates now and promises years of graceful evolution.