Sierra Cantabria Crianza Rioja 2016

You may remember the family from earlier in the year. In January, we offered the Viñedos de Páganos El Puntido Gran Reserva 2007, the #1 ranked Gran Reserva of the vintage with 97 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. The few bottles we were able to procure were understandably gobbled up quickly.

And while Viñedos de Páganos is another one of Master of Wine Tim Atkin’s first growth Rioja wineries, it’s not even the family’s flagship winery. That distinction belongs to another first growth, Sierra Cantabria, whose entire fleet of wines is as formidable and imposing as the Spanish Armada. This past year, eight of their ten wines were given 94 points or more by Decanter. It’s a yearly affair atop the rankings. But in special years? Their wines are something else. 

The 2016 vintage in Rioja was the best vintage since 2010 and one of a handful of elite vintages in the last half century, their wines need a Uhaul truck for all their awards. Their 2016 Magico was awarded 99 points and chosen as Rioja’s Red Wine of the Year. Their Señorío de San Vicente and Amancio Tempranillo bottlings also got 97 points, but all 3 of those will run you at least $75. But if you’re looking to get a piece of the 2016 action with arguably Rioja’s best winery, then you’re still in luck.