Sierra de Toloño | Sandra Bravo | Rioja
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Sandra Bravo of Sierra de Toloño is an immensely gifted winemaker who we are incredibly proud to work with. Before returning to her homeland in 2012, Sandra gained valuable experience working the vines of some of the most prestigious wine regions around the world, in Bordeaux, Chianti, California, Marlborough and Priorat. 7 years into her solo project at Sierra de Toloño, she has rightfully been awarded ‘Young Winemaker of the Year’ by Tim Atkin MW in his 2019 Spain Report. He described her as ‘hugely talented’ making ‘incredible wines from extreme sites’, and we couldn’t agree more.
Sandra is part of the new generation of winemakers focusing on terrior and the grapes. She doesn't believe in blending – all her wines are single varietals and true expressions of the specific plots. The location of her vines, in some of the highest points of the Rioja Alavesa at 600m (the limit of vine growing for the region) influence these incredibly fresh, elegant wines, typical of Sandra’s style. She’s not afraid of a challenge either – La Dula is made from old vine Garnacha grown at high-altitude and then aged in amphora, a beautiful example of Sandra’s innovation and skill - quite different from your textbook Rioja.
We have put together a mixed 6 of Sandra's wines at a fraction under our usual case price to give you an opportunity to find out what a talented winemaker she really is.
Best wishes,
The Lea & Sandeman Team
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6 BOTTLE MIXED CASE OFFER - £165
2017 RAPOSO
Tempranillo; 13.5% Abv; Drinking: 2021 - 2028.
""Freshness is my obsession" says Sandra Bravo. This comes from slightly warmer Villabuena, but it's picked two weeks earlier than her grapes in Rivas de Tereso to retain acidity. Crunchy, floral and zesty, with understated oak, red berry fruit and real focus."
Tim Atkin MW: 94, www.timatkin.com (Feb 2019)
"Made with Tempranillo from a high, rocky, limestone-based site and aged in a combination of amphorae and larger oak, it's a serious, sappy red with violet and wild thyme aromas, redcurrant and pomegranate fruit and palate-cleansing acidity."
Tim Atkin MW: 95-95, www.timatkin.com (Feb 2019)
"It's very rare to find Garnacha grown on the upper slopes of the Sierra Cantabria, given how cold it can be in a zone that can be "bestial", according to Sandra Bravo. But this 76-year-old vineyard, picked at the end of October, has delivered a wine with appealing focus and zip, embellished by crunchy red fruits and garrigue spice. "
Tim Atkin MW: 93, www.timatkin.com (Feb 2019)
"80+ year old Tempranillo vines from Villabuena de Álava. Elegant, serious and compact, with pastry aromas, hints of ginger and white pepper and rich, structured fruit flavours. Whilst not obviously tannic the Nahi will certainly benefit from a spell in the cellar."
L&S, (Feb 2019)
"There’s an apple and pear mix here that has fresh allure on the nose and delivers a zippy and attractively fresh palate that has good weight, flesh and a gently creamy, apple sorbet-like finish."
James Suckling: 93, www.jamessuckling.com (Jul 2019)
"This 0-5-hectare parcel of old vines in Villabuena de Álava is an unusual field blend of Viura, Malvasía, Rojal and Calagraño. Fermented in larger wood, the resulting wine is honeyed and spicy, with notes of wild flowers, cinnamon and chalky freshness."
Tim Atkin MW: 93, www.timatkin.com (Feb 2019)
6 BOTTLES | £165.00
£184.30
includes free delivery.
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