Sierra Cantabria Reserva Única

D.O.Ca. Rioja

San Vicente de la Sonsierra

97% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano

Sierra Cantabria Reserva Única is produced from a single contiguous vineyard in Labastida, called La Llana. The vineyard is planted on high density trellises on the northern banks of the Ebro River.

1985

Practicing organic dry farmed viticulture with certain selective biodynamic practices. La Llana is trained to high density trellises. Manual work and harvest, with no mechanization whatsoever.

Alluvial gravel intermixed with calcareous cly

Continental with heavy Atlantic influences that are moderated by the Sierra Cantabria.

The grapes undergo rigorous double-manual sorting, both before and after destemming. 100% of the clusters are destemmed, but not crushed. Temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel (inoculated) with indigenous yeast that have been selected from their vineyard and cellar. Maceration lasts 20-30 days. Malolactic fermentation in barrel.

24 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels. 30% new, 70% used (maximum third vintage barrels). Racked regularly every four months during the first year and every six months during the second year. Ageing is carried out in subterranean cellars that were carved by the family at the end of the 1990's. Due to the low temperatures and high humidity, the rate of oxidation is reduced allowing the family to work with low levels of SO2.

The Eguren family are the pioneers in the production of parcel specific single cru wines from Rioja in the Burgundy model. Sierra Cantabria Reserva Única is the family's introduction to their single vineyard range, which is sourced from a spectacular vineyard on the banks of the Ebro River in Labastida. The entire vineyard is vinified as a Reserva, and throughout the aging process, Marcos Eguren carries out a severe barrel selection. The wine is produced every vintage, but in varying quantities (1,500-4,000 cases) depending on the quality of the year. Unica represents a premier cru style Rioja single vineyard with fantastic structure, a seamless texture, and a pure red fruit character.