Cuentavinas Septeno Rioja 2023 (750ml) *
Product price
$149.99
Description
High elevation and a north-facing patience define this Rioja from Cuentavinas, drawn from a plot planted in 1972 in the La Canoca site of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. The vines sit on rich colluvial soils and see notably less direct sun than their neighbors, which pushes the wine toward a cooler, mountain-inflected profile rather than the warmer continental style often expected here. Fermented with whole clusters in sealed tanks for roughly two to three months, then raised for sixteen months in French oak vats, the 2023 keeps its oak influence to a whisper of spice.
The nose leans savory and high-toned, more Mediterranean scrubland than orchard, with lavender, rosemary, and thyme framing a core of black fruit and a faint green stem lift. On the palate it is dry and finely structured, the tannins fine-grained and just firm enough to give the frame shape without hardening it. Acidity runs the length of a velvety, silken texture, carrying the flavors into a long, herb-tinged finish. This
Product Details
| Category | Wine |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Varietal | Rioja Red Blend |
| Producer | Cuentavinas Septeno |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 750 ML |
| Subtype | Still |
Expert Reviews
From a 1972-planted vineyard in La Canoca at high-elevation, in colluvial soils that are rich, with the site itself seeing 30% less sun exposure, the gorgeously impressive 2023 Septeno is textured, minerally, and high-toned, with more of a Mediterranean mountain imprint than continental. Lavender, rosemary, and thyme accentuate its savory provenance, with a light touch of oak spice from 16 months of aging in French oak vats. The acidity laces throughout the wine’s velvety silkiness, suggesting plenty of time to age in bottle, 25-30 years, if not more. (Jeb Dunnuck, July 2025)
The 2023 Septeno, from the La Canoca site in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, is 100% Septeno fermented with whole clusters in sealed tanks for roughly 70–90 days. Its nose is distinctive, offering field herbs—thyme and rosemary—reminiscent of Mediterranean scrubland, alongside black fruit and a hint of stem character. On the palate, it’s dry and structured, with fine-grained tannins shaping a slightly firm frame while preserving flavor intensity. A finely grained structure carries the finish, which lingers with savory persistence. (Vinous, April 2026)