The 2008 Finca El Bosque, tasted from a barrel sample, is deep purple-colored with an expressive perfume of new oak, pencil lead, Asian spices, violets, and assorted black fruits. On the palate it has plenty of fine-grained tannin, layers of ripe fruit, and excellent balance. It will profit from 6-8 years of cellaring following release and drink well for 10-15 years thereafter. (Not yet released) Bodegas Sierra Cantabria is another outstanding Rioja estate owned and operated by the Eguren family. The highlight of my visit in May, 2010 was a vertical of their two renowned single vineyard wines, Amancio and Finca El Bosque. Not to be overlooked is their complete portfolio of new releases, several of which are superb values. The Amancio cuvee comes from a single vineyard of the same name. There is a severe triage in the vineyard before the grapes reach the sorting table. It spends 24 months in new French oak using a “200% new oak” aging regimen before bottling without fining or filtration. The Finca El Bosque Vineyard is a 4 acre parcel of Tempranillo planted on gravel in 1973. The wine is put through ML in new oak and spends 18 months in new, mostly French oak. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767