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El Bosque 2021

£119.00

/ 0.75 L btl
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Spec sheet

TypeRed wine
Region
Grapes
Producer
AllergensContains sulfites
Alcohol contenti14.5%

The wine

This limited production wine is included in a special collection produced by the Eguren family at their newly constructed winery, Viñedos Sierra Cantabria. The 100% Tempranillo grapes come from a single vineyard planted in 1973, the Finca El Bosque in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. This 1.5 ha parcel lies on a gentle slope facing south-east and is sheltered from northerly winds by the Sierra de Cantabria. Organically fertilized every 2 years, the trellised vines grow in calcareous-clay soils, with plenty of gravel and surface stones.

Only perfectly ripe, healthy grape clusters are hand-selected at harvest and further sorted at the winery. After which they are destalked manually, with a careful inspection of every grape – typical of the Eguren attention to detail for the attainment of a supreme quality wine. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new French and Rumanian Bordelaise oak barrels, followed by ageing for 18 months in new oak and bottling in distinctive, old Bordelaise-style bottles.

A complex, elegant nose of compote fruit, spices, cocoa, balsamic and mineral notes; powerful and rich on the palate, revealing dark fruit liqueur nuances and robust but rounded tannins. Perfectly structured with exquisite balance and length, and showing great ageing potential. A wine that utterly deserves its high rating.

Summary of Marcos Eguren's evaluation of the 2015 vintage in La Rioja

The 2015 vintage has been characterised by a significant amount of snowfall during the winter and some very dry months in spring and summer, but with an end result of very healthy and properly ripened grapes.

The year's weather got under way with a bright winter and snow, but with temperatures normal for the region. It wasn't until the middle of March that a slight rise in the temperatures occurred and the vines started budding until the beginning of April. From then on, there began a period of mild temperatures and light rainfall which favoured a good growth of the vegetation. May brought with it an increase in temperatures up to about 30º C - 33º C and the appearance of the first flowers at the end of the month.

June followed on with high temperatures (highs of 23º C - 26º C) and once flowering had finished, there were several storms and even hail in the areas of El Bosque, the Vizcarral, La Concova and Trasugueras. By the end of the month temperatures were up around 40 degrees and continued high in July, but with cool nights which dropped to about 15º C and storms in San Vicente de la Sonsierra and in Páganos. A very hot and dry August ensued during which the onset of ripening and maturation occurred, with light rain in the middle of the month and the odd storm in the last few days. Mild temperatures and the complete absence of rain accelerated and completed the ripening process in mid-September, almost three weeks earlier than in a normal year.

The harvest took place during the last week in September of very healthy grapes that had a slightly higher alcohol content than in previous years, a good balance in acidity and optimal phenolic maturation.

Ratings and awards

202196 PK
201997+ PK95 SK
201897 PN
201797 PN
201696 PK
201595+ PK
PK: ParkerPN: PeñínSK: Suckling

Wine critics reviewsReviews by Parker

The 2021 El Bosque comes from 1.482 hectares planted in 1973 on deep gravel soils that produce powerful wines. It fermented in oak vats after a cold maceration and matured in new barrels, mostly French (5% were built with oak from central Europe), for 18 months. It has the refreshing effect of the cooler year with more freshness and nice balance. It's a powerful and generously oaked modern expression of Rioja, with more aromatics from the élevage than La Nieta from their project in Páganos. 5,000 bottles were filled in July 2023.

— Luis Gutiérrez (29/02/2024)Robert Parker Wine Advocate Vintage 2021 - 96 PARKER

Customer reviews

4.3/5
4 reviews
Vintage:

The winery

Viñedos Sierra Cantabria

Viñedos Sierra Cantabria

Viñedos Sierra Cantabria is essentially a collection of vineyards that the Eguren family has brought together as part of their Sierra Cantabria wine range featuring new classics. These exceptional wines primarily showcase the Tempranillo grape and represent the particular characteristics of their terroir: Colección Privada, Sierra Cantabria Cuvée, Organza, and the renowned Amancio and El Bosque. There is complete diversity in plantations, with new and century-old vines covering...

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