Eduardo Eguren : Cuentaviñas
Unquestionnably, Eguren has become an important name in La RIOJA when it comes to wine! Eduardo’s father is no other than Marcos Eguren, also recognized as one of the best wine-maker in Spain, producing top and worth-aging wines such as La Nieta, San Vicente, Amancio, CVC or Magico. Furthermore, the famous and biodynamically run Teso la Monja estate, located in Toro, is also owned by his family and until recently Eduardo was in charge of it. Obviously not keen to stay in his comfort zone, Eduardo Eguren choose to take his own path besides his wife Carlota creating Cuentaviñas.
Cuentaviñas: A brand new project
Cuentaviñas is a brand new project that starts in San Vicente de La Sonsierra in the vineyards. Exclusively old vines vineyard planted in 1960 or 1923! Mainly with tempranillo but also some Viura, Malvasia and Calagraño. What a great name “CuentaViñas. Every single wine need a story. So, for Eduardo Eguren the most significant one is the tale of vineyards with its specific soils, texture or topography. But also the aged of the vines, their variety as well as the vintage that helps to understand a place through such a beautiful liquid:-))
After completing his studies in La Rioja, obviously, he has worked with great and well-known producers such as Juan Carlos Lopez de Lacalle from Artadi or the Californian Sashi Moorman (domaine de la Cote, Piedrasassi, Stolpmanvineyards). In spite of its young age, he has gathered wine-making experience, study, travelling (California, France, Australia, Italy….) along with a collaboration with a fine wine broker/wholesaler from London in order to understand better the final consumer.
What we can tell you so far, is that the first vintages of Cuentaviñas from la Rioja are about to be released, and very few bottles are available :
ALOMADO 2018
2000 botlles produced
Here, Tempranillo is the dominant variety it is co-planted with Calagraño, Viura and Malvasia. The soil is chalky with clay with some alluvial components (little stones). Planted in 1960, this vineyard is virtually at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria Mountain.
“Very elegant medium-bodied wine, completely different from Sierra Cantabria’s “Style”, here the extraction seems to be a lot softer, and the oak treatment is less obvious. Restraint nose, fresh cherries, lightly smoky and chalky. On the palate, the wine is persistent and has a certain volume in the mouth (13.5%), but being so young, it is kind of tight, still. Liquorice and cranberries are present and the finish is long and fresh”
Alomado is barrel fermented (the malo-lactic fermentation too) and it is, then, aged 18 months in 500 Liters barrel.
35.00 Euros a bottle
LOS YELSONES 2018
2050 botlles produced
From a different vineyard at 550 meters above sea level, called “LA RAD”, which was planted in 1970 solely with Tempranillo. Although, it is enjoying a continental Climate, there is a fair influence from the Atlantic ocean which is thought to be responsible of the freshness detected in the finished wine.
“Definitely more profound nose with rose petals, spices, especially cloves. Apart from this, the chalky character is also present in this wine. Persistent, and the mid-palate is deeper showing some juniper berries flavor. once again, it needs time as the acidity and the tannins seem to cover its full potential.”
Barrel fermented (both fermentation) in French oak, using 500 liters cooperage in order to minimize its impact on the wine. It is then aged 18 months.
Moreover, “Los yelsones “ are calcareous rocks/stones that are present in the vineyards, hence its name!
140.00 Euros a bottle
EL TIZNADO 2018
850 bottles produced
100% Tempranillo
The cream of the Crop!
“El Tiznado” which means tainted.
It refers to the peculiar reddish color of the soil, due to some oxidized iron’s presence. It is highly appreciated in Burgundy, it is reckoned that most Grands Crus, and to a certain extent some great premiers crus, contain a high content of Oxidized iron in their soil. Will it be the secret of profound wines? well, it can’t be that simple.
“El tiznado is the most intense of the three. Smoky, toasty, dark fruit, yet, the style is. again. very elegant. Perfumed, creamy, supple and round. It delivers a lot more than the first two, but don’t get confused the style stays the same, although it is fuller bodied. Lingering finish – Rose petals.”
Anyway, here the vineyard is known as El HOYO and was planted in 1923. In addition to this, the vegetal material is thought to be highly diverse, even so it is entirely planted with Tempranillo, el Hoyo is composed of various clones of the latter. An important detail, that could help to deliver a more complex wine.
Unlike Alomado or Los Yelsones, smaller barrel have been used : 228 liters french barrel to be exact, they are also called “Bourguignone”. Finally, the wine spend 18 months in oak.
168.00 euros a bottle.
Finally, Cuentaviñas will soon release a grenache from La rioja, and a Ribera del Duero. So keep checking our facebook, instagram or web-site as we will update you as soon as possible.
Cheers,
Here you will find all their wines available at Classic Vins
https://classic-vins.com/?s=cuentavi%C3%B1as
