Perfume de Sonsierra Rioja Alta

Back in March, I attended the 'Best of Rioja' tasting, curated by Tim Atkin MW. It was a really insightful tasting, which highlighted the shifting style of wine from the Rioja region.

While there, I came across Grupo Sonsierra, one of the leading cooperative wineries in the region, dating back officially to 1961 but amassing hundreds of years of wine producing experience from it's many growers. Rooted in exceptional limestone soils and a unique microclimate shaped by the Sierra Cantabria and the Ebro River, Sonsierra has become known for crafting wines with strong identity and deep connection to their terroir. The winery pioneered bottled cooperative wines in Rioja and continues to innovate through projects such as its acclaimed Singular Vineyards and the avant‑garde Perfume de Sonsierra.
 
What drew me to them was the different style of bottles that they had. Surely a gimmick? No, not at all. I had to try to make sure and was very impressed.
 
WHAT IS PERFUME DE SONSIERRA?
 
This is a wine made from 100% hand-harvested Tempranillo grapes from Rioja Alta. The avant-garde bottle style and presentation is a tribute to the terroir and is tribute to the aromas and sensations experienced while walking through the Rioja vineyards.
 
TASTING NOTES:
 
On the nose, Perfume de Sonsierra offers an aromatic bouquet with intense notes of licorice, blackberry, currant, caramel, mocha, and a touch of mint. On the palate, it is full-bodied, powerful, and exuberant, with a lingering finish that leaves a lasting impression.
 
VINIFICATION:
After a 4-day cold maceration and 9-day fermentation at a controlled temperature of 24ºC in stainless steel tanks, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels, adding elegance and depth. It is then aged for 16 months in new French oak Bordeaux barrels, followed by at least 8 months in the bottle to reach its full potential.