Sierra Cantabria Senorio de San Vicente 2016

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Winery: Señorío de San Vicente

Country / Region: Spain / Rioja

Date Winery was established: 1991

Grape Variety: Tempranillo

Year the vintage was first released: 1994

Alcohol Content / Volume: 14.5% / 27000ml

Ratings: 93 pts James Suckling / 92 pts Wine Spectator

Decanting Time: Open bottle and let it breath for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Serve at 15 - 18°C

Our suggestion for decanting time is based on bottles we tried at Txanton in 2024. We guarantee that Txanton stocks are imported and maintained in proper storage within the correct temperature and humidity suitable for wine.

Good to Know: During the time when Rioja styles were heavily locked into the tradition of blending both grape varietals and vineyards, Marcos and Miguel Eguren, strove to establish the identity and uniqueness of single vineyards and microclimates in the region. The creation of Senorio de San Vicente is heavily rooted with one amazingly unique vineyard, Finca La Canoca. Located in a tiny valley at the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria mountain range, the grapes on this vineyard are 100% Tempranillo Peludo planted on extremely high-density trellises. This specific clone of Tempranillo, combined with the vineyard’s location produced a different and unique expression of both elegance and concentration in their wines. The vineyard's location on the northern fringes of Rioja Alavesa reaches both the optimal conditions and the limit at which the Tempranillo Peludo can reach its true potential; any closer to the Sierra Cantabria mountain range, and the grapes would have trouble ripening.

Senorio de San Vicente's 2016 release is an intense and precise Rioja with a gorgeous mineral edge. Aromas of ripened blackberries and dark chocolate are flanked by undertones of crushed graphite and cedarwood. The palate is luscious and fruit driven, bringing added nuances of vanilla and sweet cherry tomatoes to the ensemble. The finish is dense and full of depth with a powerful tannic structure that grips the palate in a velvety touch.

Officially established in 1991, Senorio de San Vicente was established by the Eguren brothers of Sierra Cantabria, Marcos and Miguel, with the goal of creating a new style and philosophy of Rioja wines. They wanted to shift the philosophy of that time which was focused on blending vineyards and varietals to a single vineyard, single varietal style. They were the first to challenge this system which eventually led to other Rioja producers following in their footsteps.