Name: Sierra Cantabria Rioja Reserva Unica 2020 750ml
Brand: Sierra Cantabria
SKU: 990532
Price: 28 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 93.2 (5 reviews)

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Winery

Sierra Cantabria

Shop all from Sierra Cantabria

Varietal

Tempranillo

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.

JD 95pts

Jeb Dunnuck

#85 in Top 100 Wines, 2025. From a year when the producer lost 20% of its grapes, the 2020 Reserva Unica overcomes the adversity of the vintage in its delicate, finessed profile that belies an inherent power of concentrated black fruit. With 2% Graciano, it has precise acidity and is plenty powerful yet supple in tannins and rich red fruit. Beautifully balanced, it shows profound elegance and will be a long-lived wine for another 15-20 years.

WA 93pts

Wine Advocate

The 2020 Reserva Única comes from the COVID-19 (and mildew) year and tries to combine the primary character with the complexity of the older wines. It's mostly from one vineyard that has some Graciano (maybe 3%) that always gives the wine an aromatic and fresh kick. It comes through as very balanced. It started a little closed and shy and took time to open up in the glass. Again, the 2020 in Rioja has less body and clout than 2021, the wines are finer-boned and the tannins have some grip. This matured in a combination of French (60%) and American (40%) oak barrels for two years, but the oak is very integrated and folded into the fruit. 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2023.

JS 93pts

James Suckling

A fruit-conscious Rioja reserva with flowers, plums and bramble berries. Rich and deep, with restrained oak spices and a touch of minerals. Excellent fruit quality, with fine-grained tannins and a long, bright finish. Drink or hold.

VM 93pts

Vinous Media

The 2020 Reserva Única Sierra Cantabria is 97% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano from Labastida. Aged 24 months in 60% French and 40% American oak, 15% of it new, it offers red fruit, cherry, new oak and a vinous profile on the nose. In the mouth, it's smooth and slightly caramelized, with gentle tannins and a fruit-driven style. The 2020 is a modern Reserva with clarity and expression.

WS 92pts

Wine Spectator

A fresh, sleek red, offering a profile of creamed cherry and crushed raspberry fruit, floral, graphite and vanilla notes, all trimmed nicely by fine, taut tannins. Well-balanced and elegant, with ripe fruit and spice details lingering on the finish. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2035. 1,714 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.