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Long-term Pre-arrival Items
Long Term Pre-arrival Definition: Ordering wine directly through us from our supplier partners in Europe in advance of the item’s physical arrival in the US.
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SKU 988831
$17.10/bottle
Out of stock
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Peppercorn funk, spices and juicy plums and cherries. Fine-grained and firm on the palate, with a medium to full body and a structured, medium-long finish. Drink from 2025.
There are plenty of notable native Spanish grapes which have made a big impression on the wine world at large, but none are as renowned or as widely loved as the Tempranillo varietal. This black skinned grape has been used for wine making for centuries, with several ancient civilizations noticing the fact that it is highly versatile and holds some delicious flavors and aromas, perfect for those looking for a powerful yet elegant grape for their wines. Tempranillo often causes winemakers some trouble, however, as it is highly susceptible to many diseases. Despite this, plenty continue to persevere with this varietal, as it is perfect for producing delicious and complex single variety and blended wines, packed full of classic Spanish flavors and plenty of aromatic and intense surprises.
Country
Spain
Ever since the Phoenicians and Romans brought their knowledge of vine cultivation to Spanish soils, the country's culture has grown alongside wine production, with wine being a vital part of Spanish identity and Spanish traditions. Each region of Spain has a wine quite distinct from the others, and it is produced by smallholders and families as much as it is by large companies and established wineries. From the relatively mild and lush regions of La Rioja to the arid plateaus that surround Madrid, grapes are grown in abundance for the now booming Spanish wine industry, and new laws and regulations have recently been put in place to keep the country's standards high. By combining traditional practices with modern technology, Spanish wineries are continuing to produce distinctive wines of great character, flavor and aroma, with the focus shifting in recent decades to quality over quantity.
Region
La Rioja
La Rioja is by far the most famous wine region of Spain, and remains one of the world's great wine producing regions, consistently offering deep, complex red wines of character and distinction, partly due to the fact that La Rioja benefits from excellent soils, rich in minerals and nutrients, and plenty of sunshine. The climatic conditions allow the fine grape varietals to reach full ripeness and express plenty of the best features of their terroir, making La Rioja wines some of the most interesting to have ever come out of Europe. The Cantabrian mountains to the north provide the perfect shelter from the colder, wetter influences of the Atlantic oceans, and in the beloved vineyards of La Rioja, wineries have been cultivating exceedingly flavorful Tempranillo grapes for generations for the inclusion in their fine single variety and blended wines.
Appellation
Rioja
Rioja, a renowned wine appellation in Spain, stands as an emblem of the country's winemaking heritage and innovation. What makes Rioja unique is its commitment to blending traditional and modern winemaking methods. Primarily crafted from Tempranillo, with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo as supporting players, Rioja wines showcase a remarkable balance of fruit, oak, and complex aging.
Rioja's classification system, featuring Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, delineates the aging periods, highlighting the region's dedication to quality. The use of American oak barrels imparts distinctive vanilla and coconut notes, contributing to Rioja's recognizable profile. The diverse terroir, from the high-altitude vineyards of Rioja Alta to the warmer Rioja Baja, adds depth and complexity to the wines.
Exploring Rioja allows enthusiasts to savor the rich tapestry of Spanish winemaking, where historic bodegas coexist with modern practices, resulting in wines that seamlessly marry tradition and innovation, offering a glimpse into the soul of Spanish viticulture.
JS91pts
James Suckling
Peppercorn funk, spices and juicy plums and cherries. Fine-grained and firm on the palate, with a medium to full body and a structured, medium-long finish. Drink from 2025.
WA90pts
Wine Advocate
The creamy 2020 Crianza was fermented with yeasts selected from their vineyards and matured in French and American oak barrels for 14 months. It's ripe and spicy, with abundant, fine-grained tannins. 450,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2023.
WS90pts
Wine Spectator
A harmonious red, showing good energy and a sanguine edge, this features a core of dried cherry and black raspberry flavors, plus notes of Mediterranean herbs, milled pepper, iron and citrus peel. Drink now through 2029. 20,000 cases made, 7,000 cases imported. (Smart Buys)
JD90pts
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Sierra Cantabria Crianza is all Tempranillo from estate fruit and was aged 14 months in used French and American oak barrels. It's a rock-solid, even outstanding Crianza offering classic red and black fruits, graphite, savory herbs, and leather-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, concentrated, and balanced, it has some firmer tannins that should soften over the coming 3-4 years, and it should have 10-15 years of overall longevity.
