Sierra Cantabria Crianza - $16.99

Wine Details

Price: $16.99
Producer: Bodegas Sierra Cantabria
Region: Rioja
Varietal: Dry Red Table Wine
Container Size: 750 ML
Flavors: chocolate, plum, tobacco
  • Award Winning
  • Red Wine
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Expert Ratings

Ratings   Vintage Source Flavors
WineSpectator - 90 Details: Plum, chocolate, tobacco and leaf flavors mingle in this round red. Shows good ripeness and concentration, but maintains a traditional style. A bit austere, but balanced. Drink now through 2012. 3,000 cases imported. –TM 2004 WineSpectator chocolate, plum, tobacco
Tanzer - 90 Details: ($17) Full red. Plum, strawberry and sexy, smoky sweet oak scents on the nose. Lush on entry, then round, ripe and dry, with plum and strawberry flavors. A plush, rather suave wine with enough material for its oak. Finishes smooth and persistent. Very generous Rioja, from crop levels that were reportedly lower than in the past at this estate. 2001 Tanzer currant, nutty, oak, pepper, plum, redcurrant, smoky, spice
WineSpectator - 86 Details: Generous and harmonious, this red shows plum, vanilla and spicy flavors. Nothing is exaggerated or showy here. Drink now through 2007. 3,000 cases imported. –TM 2000 WineSpectator graphite, oak, smoke, spice box, strawberry
WineSpectator - 86 Details: Velvety and harmonious, with black cherry, tobacco and herb flavors and a spicy finish. Drink now through 2007. 3,000 cases imported. –TM 1999 WineSpectator black cherry, herb flavors, spicy, tobacco
Tanzer - 88 Details: ($13) Medium red. Fresher on the nose than the '98, with notes of cherry, raspberry, flint, espresso and spicy, smoky oak. Silky and seamless in the mouth, with nicely integrated acids giving the sweet red fruit and spice flavors a tangy quality. Finishes ripe, firm-edged and persistent. 1999 Tanzer cherry, espresso, flint, oak, raspberry, smoky, spice, spicy
WineSpectator - 81 Details: This light red shows cherry, vanilla and herbal flavors. It's soft, balanced and clean. Drink now. 5,000 cases imported. –TM 1998 WineSpectator
Tanzer - 86 Details: ($13) Good medium red. Tarry, smoky French oak dominates currant and strawberry fruit aromas. Supple and spicy but a bit dull, offering modest complexity and verve. Structured Rioja, but in a distinctly dryer style. 1998 Tanzer cherry, herbal flavors, vanilla
WineEnthusiast - 86 Details: Smooth and fresh, with bright berry on the nose and also some well-applied oak. In the mouth, raspberry and cherry flavors are spiced up with a note or black pepper. Lean, clean and moderately tangy; a basic but good Rioja in the truest sense. 1998 WineEnthusiast berry, black pepper, cherry, oak, raspberry
WineSpectator - 85 Details: A velvety texture carries flavors of roasted plums and vanilla in this food-friendly red. It's balanced and firm on the finish. Drink now through 2004. 5,000 cases made. –TM 1997 WineSpectator vanilla
Tanzer - 89 Details: Good full medium-red. Spicy, slightly high-toned aromas of redcurrant, plum and fresh herbs. Expansive, ripe and full; really fills the mouth with sweet red fruit and spice flavors. Finishes with ripe tannins, toasty oak and very good length. This is superb for the year, and delicious right now. (Fine Estates From Spain, Dedham, MA) 1997 Tanzer fresh herbs, plum, redcurrant, spice, spicy, toasty oak
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Food Pairings

Category Pairing
Cheese Sharp Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Soft Pungent Cheese
Red Meat Beef Stew, Ham, Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison, Spicy Sausage
Poultry & Eggs Coq Au Vin, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey
Vegetables Artichokes, White Aspargus with Mustard Vinagrette, Beans, Green, Beans, White, Carrots
Fruits & Nuts Dates, Figs & Raisins
Vegetables Mushrooms
Fruits & Nuts Almonds, Hazelnuts
Vegetables Roasted Sweet Peppers, Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Swiss chard or Kale, Tomato, Gazpacho, Vegetable Gratin or Stew
Herbs & Spices Cilantro, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cumin, Saffron
Cheese Aged Cheddar

Awards and Accolades

  Name Vintage
Award Winner Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008 2004

Wine Terms

Name Value
Rioja (ree OH hah)—This region in north-central Spain makes the country’s most popular red wine from Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), Graciano and Mazuelo grapes. Rosado (rose) and white wines are also produced here. Traditionally red Rioja was aged for many years in small barrels made from American oak; this produced wines that were pale, gentle, and lacking in fruitiness. Current trends have been away from only oak aging and the wines are now much fresher tasting. In addition, the introduction of French oak barrels has contributed to its distinctive vanilla quality. The Rioja region is divided into three zones, the most well known being Rioja Alta. Alta-based wines tend to be firmer and leaner in style. Rioja Alavesa produces delicate, perfumed reds. Both Alavesa- and Alta-based wines are blended with wines from the third region, Rioja Baja, a somewhat warmer area that produces heavier grapes. The label of a Rioja will reveal much about the characteristics of its contents. Sin crianza Riojas receive no oak aging and are released young; they are Beaujolais-like, fruity and fresh. Some wines are aged for two years in oak or bottles; these are labeled crianza and, while still fresh and fruity, begin take on the famous oakiness. Wines aged for three years, at least one year in a barrel, are labeled reserva. These are often the most enjoyable of all Riojas. The most expensive wines are aged for five years or more, earning the status of gran reserva. The youngest Riojas pair well with seafood, spicy sausages, and Spanish-style bean dishes. The mature reds should be eaten with game, stews, and cheese.
Spain This mountainous country possesses more vineyard land than any other country on earth, and ranks third in wine production after France and Italy. Spain is best known for its red Riojas and its Sherries, however other wines and regions are quickly gaining notoriety. Like France, Spain divides wine into categories; table wine at the bottom level and quality wine at the top, with a large emphasis on geographical origin. VdM (Vino de Mesa) is a basic table wine. VC (Vino Comarcal) wines are a level up. VdlT (Vino de la Tierra) refers to one of the country’s 25 distinct regions, and each wine possesses a local character. At the top level, only about fifty wines are considered DO (Denominacion de Origen). These wines come from the best-known regions and are the equivalent of France’s Appellation Contrôlée. DOC (Denominacion de Origen Calificada) is reserved for wines that adhere to the most stringent regulations. So far, Rioja is the only wine to gain the Calificada classification.