Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2005 Amancio reveals a splendid bouquet of sandalwood, Asian spices, incense, truffle, and blackberry. Surprisingly forward for a vintage known for back-strapping wines, it has excellent concentration, plenty of savory fruit, nicely concealed tannins, and a lengthy finish. Elegant for the vintage, it will offer a drinking window extending from 2015 to 2030. Bodegas Sierra Cantabria is another outstanding Rioja estate owned and operated by the Eguren family. The highlight of my visit in May, 2010 was a vertical of their two renowned single vineyard wines, Amancio and Finca El Bosque. Not to be overlooked is their complete portfolio of new releases, several of which are superb values. The Amancio cuvee comes from a single vineyard of the same name. There is a severe triage in the vineyard before the grapes reach the sorting table. It spends 24 months in new French oak using a “200% new oak” aging regimen before bottling without fining or filtration. The Finca El Bosque Vineyard is a 4 acre parcel of Tempranillo planted on gravel in 1973. The wine is put through ML in new oak and spends 18 months in new, mostly French oak. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767
Critic scores
Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(200% new French oak; bottled after 24 months in barrel) Opaque purple. Compelling aromas of candied red and dark berries are complicated by cola, vanilla, floral oil and incense. Sappy raspberry and blackcurrant flavors are given lift and clarity by tangy minerality. Sexy floral pastille and Asian spice qualities gain power with air and carry into the finish. Leaves spicy berry notes behind on the endlessly sweet, captivating finish. This will drink well early, as in now.