Name: Sierra de Tolono Rioja Camino de Santa Cruz 2022 750ml
Brand: Sierra De Tolono
SKU: 1001859
Price: 46.2 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 93.3 (3 reviews)

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Winery

Sierra De Tolono

Shop all from Sierra De Tolono

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.

JS 95pts

James Suckling

This shows aromas of olives, lavender, dark cherries and a touch of herbs. The fruit is succulent and expansive with a subtle herbal hint. Fine-grained tannins frame very pure, crystalline fruit on a savory, mouthwatering palate. Pure tempranillo from a single vineyard in Rivas, from vines around 50 years old,. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

WS 93pts

Wine Spectator

Warm spice and rosemary notes herald this vibrant, zesty red, an aromatic thread lacing flavors of macerated cherry and strawberry fruit, plus rich hints of licorice root, pomegranate puree, crushed gravel and cracked pink peppercorn. Chalky tannins firm the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2037. 93 cases made, 42 cases imported.

WA 92pts

Wine Advocate

Vintages tend to be quite marked in the wines, and the 2022 Camino de Santa Cruz, a single-vineyard Tempranillo from the village of Rivas de Tereso, shows the warm and dry year, especially when tasted next to wines from cooler vintages like 2023 and 2024. It fermented in 300-liter amphorae and matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months. It reveals some rusticity, earthy aromas, black rather than red fruit and notes of aromatic herbs. The palate is medium- to full bodied, with slightly dusty tannins. It's riper than the 2023s—this reached 14% alcohol—and has a pH of 3.68 and 5.3 grams of acidity. 1,120 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2023.

Winery Notes

This is Sierra de Toloño's ultimate expression of Tempranillo. Vines are planted at 700 meters altitude, (which is relatively high for the region) on an organically farmed, single vineyard. Combine these factors in addition to limestone soils to create a wine that is completely indicative of the region. Grapes are hand-picked and undergo spontaneous fermentation in old, used foudres and clay amphora.