Sierra Cantabria Colección Privada 1999 (3 bottles) Bodegas Sierra Cantabria - (San Vicente de la Sonsierra, La Rioja Alta) D.O.: Rioja Sierra Cantabria Colección Privada is a red wine produced by Bodega Sierra Cantabria in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a small town located at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria Mountains, in the La Rioja D.O. Bodega Sierra Cantabria is owned by the Eguren family, who also own Bodega Teso la Monja in the Toro D.O., as well as other smaller wineries in Rioja such as Señorío San Vicente, Dominio de Eguren, and Viñedos de Páganos. Sierra Cantabria Colección Privada is a single-varietal Tempranillo wine. The grapes come from two vineyards over 50 years old owned by the winery: Finca Los Terreros and Jararte, both located in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, very close to the Ebro River. The vineyard is located at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level and has poor, clayey-calcareous soil with abundant stones, gravel, and sediments that provide good drainage. Several climates converge in this area: Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Continental. Three very different influences that result in diverse climatic conditions, with mild winters and mild summers, with a significant temperature difference between day and night. Bodega Sierra Cantabria cultivates the vineyards respecting the rhythms of nature, following the influence of the stars, and demonstrating great respect for the environment. Only organic fertilizer is used. The grapes are harvested manually, in 20 kg boxes that ensure the grapes arrive at the winery in perfect condition. A thorough selection is carried out in the vineyard, and only those bunches that show perfect health and ripeness are picked. Once in the winery, a second selection takes place on sorting tables. The selected grapes ferment in small 1,000-liter oak vats, and traditional treading is carried out twice a day at the beginning of fermentation and once a day in the final days. This ensures a very gentle extraction of the must. Fermentation is carried out with native yeasts from the vineyard itself and at a controlled temperature of 23°C. Sierra Cantabria Colección Privada is aged for 18 months in new French and American oak barrels. A wonderful Rioja wine. Powerful yet delicate. Rich in fruit and a great barrel ageing. A wine with a wealth of personality.