Sierra Cantabria El Bosque 2011 (750ML)

94 WA / 94 WE / 94 VM

The 2011 Finca El Bosque again comes from the same site and sees a similar upbringing. Its color is darker than other vintages, because of its youth, and it has an extremely primary nose that is still very ungiving. With time, you start feeling notes of Belgian chocolate, ripe blueberries, blackberries and damsons. The full-bodied palate is juicy with chunky tannins and perfectly integrated acidity that makes the wine coat your mouth without being aggressive. It doesn’t feel like a heavy wine at all, despite being a real bodybuilder underneath a silk robe. It’s so young it feels like eating fresh Tempranillo grapes. A great vintage for El Bosque that will require a good two to three years in bottle to start showing its true value and how power can be combined with elegance. 4,000 bottles produced. Drink 2016-2027. Luis Gutirrez - The Wine Adovocate

Burnt toast, mineral, raw char, pencil lead, tobacco and blackberry aromas make for a highly complex and powerful nose. Following on that theme, this is packed and intense on the palate, with smoky black fruit and licorice flavors that finish oaky, toasty and blackened. This is the epitome of a modern Rioja thrill ride. It will take its passengers now through 2035; 200 cases made." - Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast

(100% tempranillo; aged in new French and central European oak barrels for 18 months): Inky purple. Fresh blueberry, mulberry and cassis on the nose, with a smoky topnote and a hint of vanilla. Broad, sappy and concentrated, with dark fruit flavors complemented by Indian spices, mocha and bitter chocolate. This rich, deep, lively wine finishes spicy and very long, with a kick of peppery spices and soft tannins coming in slowly." - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media