November 20, 2021 - Deep mahogany.
Detailed and lifted bouquet of smoked meat, dark fruits, spice cake and dark chocolate with a hint of coconut and overripe banana - encapsulates mature Rioja. As the wine opened, there was vanilla, toasted herbs and a cherry eau-de-vie.
The palate entry elevates the cherry liqueur note adding marinated black cherry, black raspberry, blackberry and liquorice. A lush texture with flesh and firm, glycerol-encased tannins gives a beautiful structure that is remarkably compact. There is a savoury twist of underbrush and toasted spices, yet the sweet fruit rises towards the long, dense finish with a raspberry ripple, vanilla character. Not a lot of acidity does give a slight soapy/flabby element to the aftertaste.
March 20, 2014 - Elegant, mature Rioja.
Appearance: Clear, deep garnet.
Nose: Clean, medium+ and fully developed berries, earth, spice.
Palate: Dry, Medium acidity, moderate and soft tannins, low alcohol on palate, medium+ body and intensity blackberry, herbaceousness, light oak, light pepper, and spice.
Medium+ finish length. Very good quality.
At peak.
August 28, 2010 - For a vintage as generally poor and disappointing as 2002, this Sierra Cantabria has evolved spectacularly. Few signs of ageing - just a little terracotta colour on the rim, followed by a nose reminiscent of an aged port - figs, dates, cocoa, toffee, stewed plums and molasses. The tannins have softened considerably, to a silky smoothness, but the acidity is remarkably sharp and vibrant, holding together and accentuating the fruit, which, although well-defined, is sadly just beginning to decline. This wine still has a few years left, and is highly enjoyable on account of its luscious bouquet, vivid acidity and treacly, opulent finish. In line with the general quality of the vintage, this is the weakest Sierra Cantabria of the last decade, but for a wine that was nothing short of spectacular in 2001, 2004, 2005 and even the irregular 2003, this is not bad at all.
February 26, 2007 - Stunning! This wine was so ready to be consumed (and loved). Every single sip brought you back to the moment and the recognition that this is a truely beautiful wine. A beguiling nose whispering of soft, ripe fruit and brambles. Silky mouth feel that makes you sigh wistfully. Oh my, this is special wine. Elegant and layered. Provocative round fruit with a nod to the earth. Soft and balanced tannins. Did I mention stunning? (D 7, F 6, Pine)
November 12, 2006 - Wine Cellar - Rioja and Fontanafredda (Wine Cellar, Cape Town): (Tasted Blind): A deep garnet colour towards an orange rim suggests some development. The nose is intriguing with a distinct coconut and toast quality, reminiscent of a new (empty) barrel - the background show black cherry and plum.
Full-bodied, the entry is very ripe with more dried cherries running towards raisin, Christmas cake borderline, overripe bananas, and spicecake. The alcohol is high, and the wine has a thickness to the core. Long-ish finish with grippy, dense tannins and more than a sprinkle of spice on the close.
November 1, 2006 - Roediger Tasting - Spain (Stellenbosch): Deep garnet colour with aromas of softened red fruit, dried herbs, and a sprinkle of spice.
The palate offers a little more with a rich, spicy note against some medium to lively acidity that leads to firm, gravelly tannins. A clean, precise style, there is marinated black cherry, bubblegum, tobacco and oak spices on the mid-palate - all with an attractive lift. A well-structured wine with ripe fruit and the more bold American oak spiciness and tobacco that end wit a long finish.
April 14, 2005 - Easy Drinking