Sierra de Toloño
Rioja DOCa Camino de Santa Cruz
"The 2019 Camino de Santa Cruz comes from a plot of Tempranillo in the village of Rivas de Tereso on shallow limestone soils that fermented with indigenous yeasts in 300-liter amphorae and matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months. It has balsamic aromas, sweet spices and integrated oak. It has good ripeness and balance with 14% alcohol and good freshness. 1,120 bottles were filled in November 2020." 92 points, Wine Advocate
Region: Rioja Alavesa
Appellation: Rioja DOCa
Varietal/Blend: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 14.0%
Vineyard & Vine Age: This extremely special 0.2ha micro-plot at 700 meters above sea level in Rioja Alavesa’s Rivas de Tereso is uniquely high in the local lastra (grey limestone rocks) close to the roots, somehow creating an especially aromatic and mineral expression of Tempranillo from these very old vines. Sandra farms her own vines all by hand, biodynamically, and harvest is also by hand (into 15kg crates to prevent crushing).
Cellar: Fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeast in amphora at a low temperature that allows a slow, smooth, continuous extraction. Once finished, the wine is racked to old French oak to age for another year before bottling and resting again. Unfined and unfiltered. 14%. Only 1,200 bottles produced.
CSPC: 129798
Winemakers Note: It’s a serious, sappy red with violet and wild thyme aromas, redcu¬rrant and pomegranate fruit and palate-cleansing acidity. Strong mineral accent and floral touch typical of the mediterranean herbs that surrounded the vineyard.
What the Critics are saying: Very much a low intervention style - Sandra Bravo likes to leave her wines well alone if possible - Camino de Santa Cruz comes from a single 0.2-hectare parcel at 650 metres in Rivas de Tereso. Lavender and rosemary aromas segue into a grippy palate with plum and damson fruit flavours and sinewy tannins. Wild and slightly funky. — 93/100, Tim Atkin MW, 2024 Rioja Report
Region: Rioja Alavesa
Appellation: Rioja DOCa
TECHNICAL INFO
Varietal/Blend: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 14.0%
Vineyard: This extremely special 0.2ha micro-plot at 700 meters above sea level in Rioja Alavesa’s Rivas de Tereso is uniquely high in the local lastra (grey limestone rocks) close to the roots, somehow creating an especially aromatic and mineral expression of Tempranillo from these very old vines. Sandra farms her own vines all by hand, biodynamically, and harvest is also by hand (into 15kg crates to prevent crushing).
Cellar: Fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeast in amphora at a low temperature that allows a slow, smooth, continuous extraction. Once finished, the wine is racked to old French oak to age for another year before bottling and resting again. Unfined and unfiltered. 14%. Only 1,200 bottles produced.
CSPC: 129798
Winemakers Note: It’s a serious, sappy red with violet and wild thyme aromas, redcu¬rrant and pomegranate fruit and palate-cleansing acidity. Strong mineral accent and floral touch typical of the mediterranean herbs that surrounded the vineyard.
What the Critics are saying: Very much a low intervention style - Sandra Bravo likes to leave her wines well alone if possible - Camino de Santa Cruz comes from a single 0.2-hectare parcel at 650 metres in Rivas de Tereso. Lavender and rosemary aromas segue into a grippy palate with plum and damson fruit flavours and sinewy tannins. Wild and slightly funky. — 93/100, Tim Atkin MW, 2024 Rioja Report
Giovanni Autuori
Calgary + Alberta South
T: 403-971-1898
E: giovanni@vinoalvino.ca
Joe Gurba
Edmonton + Alberta North
T: 780-203-5284
E: joeg@vinoalvino.ca