Finca Sobreño
 Toro (Spain)

The Estate
In the early 90's, a group of Rioja winemakers became interested in Toro, convinced that top class wines could be made from the local Tempranillo clone known as Tinta de Toro. The combination of Rioja know-how, modern technology, strict attention to detail and fine old-vines plantings has led Bodegas Sobreño to almost instant success in Spain and on the international scene. Bodegas Sobreño was founded in 1998. Just 7 years later, Bodegas Sobreño has become one of the best-known wineries in the region.  The winery owns 1,400 barriques (primarily American oak) and boasts a production capacity of 500,000 bottles/year.
The principal winemaking consultant is Manuel Ruiz Hernández, one of Rioja's most respected enologists.

"One of best new estates in Toro; reds show intense fruit." 
- Anthony Dias Blue's pocket guide to wine 2006


Finca Sobreno


Roberto San Ildefonso and his daughter Paloma


Roberto San Ildefonso (left)


The tanks


The cellar

The Vineyards
Finca Sobreño currently owns 80 hectares (197 acres) of vineyard, of which about half are vines over 30 years old and divided in many small parcels. In addition, the winery controls 155 hectares of independently owned old-vines plots. The vineyards are 100% Tinta de Toro, pruned "en vaso" (bush vines), as well as double cordon Royat in the newer plantings. Soil types are alluvial with a thick clay subsoil, and a mix of sand and gravel. Yields are quite low, averaging about 4,000 kg/hectare.


The vineyards

The Wines
The wines produced are:
     • Tinto Joven – 3 months oak
     • Crianza – 7-8 months oak
     • Reserva – 3 years aging – 1+ year in wood
The winery uses only new American oak barrels and bottles just the best portion of its harvest.  















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#S0EE322001TPM
UPC code: 7 84585 00631 1
2005 Finca Sobreño, Toro, Crianza, 12/750ml
This Crianza is made from
100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) grapes grown on some 50 hectares of vineyards (average age of 30 years) purchased specifically for the Sobreño project. The vines are planted at a very low density (900 plants/hectare), with reduced production levels in the range of 4,000 kilos/hectare. Grapes are hand picked, fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for a total of 7 months in American oak barrels.

"100 percent Tinta de Toro from 30-year-old vines planted at very low density. The wine is aged in American oak for 7 months. Ruby opaque color with ripe red and black plum aromas. Ripe and lush in the mouth with delicious plum fruit and generous oak on the mid-palate and finishing with nice gripping tannins."
- International Wine Review (Jan. 2008), 89 pts

"Finca Sobreno’s 2005 Crianza is 100% Tinta de Toro aged for 7 months in American oak. Dark crimson-colored, it offers an enticing bouquet of cedar, mineral, blackberry, and floral notes. This leads to a ripe, supple, full-flavored, spicy wine with excellent depth and balance. Although designed and priced to be consumed in its youth, it will evolve for several years. It is an outstanding value"
- Wine Advocate (Issue 175, Feb 08), 90 pts

#S0EE33203
UPC code: 7 84585 00631 1
2004 Finca Sobreño, Toro, Crianza, 12/750ml
This Crianza is made from
100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) grapes grown on some 50 hectares of vineyards (average age of 30 years) purchased specifically for the Sobreño project. The vines are planted at a very low density (900 plants/hectare), with reduced production levels in the range of 4,000 kilos/hectare. Grapes are hand picked, fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for a total of 7 months in American oak barrels.

"The 2004 Crianza has considerably more to offer. It is a saturated purple in color, with lots of smoke, lead pencil, and cedar on the nose. On the palate, it is full-flavored, layered, and long. It will benefit from 1-3 years of cellaring and drink well for a decade. It is an outstanding value. Drink 2008-2017. Imported by Kysela Père et Fils, LTD." - Wine Advocate (issue 169), 90 pts

"Ruby-red. Musky cherry and blackberry aromas are deepened by tobacco and graphite. Chewy, medium-bodied and meaty, with bitter cherry and plum jam flavors propped up by firm tannins. Juicy dark berries define the moderately long, spicy finish. This might unwind with a year or so of aging."
- International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 2007), 87 pts


#S0EE33208
UPC code: 7 84585 00631 1
2003 Finca Sobreño, Toro, Crianza, 12/750ml
This Crianza is made from
100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) grapes grown on some 50 hectares of vineyards (average age of 30 years) purchased specifically for the Sobreño project. The vines are planted at a very low density (900 plants/hectare), with reduced production levels in the range of 4,000 kilos/hectare. Grapes are hand picked, fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for a total of 7 months in American oak barrels.
Production: 29,000 cases/year.
Intense, dark color, deep red at the edges.
Aromatic nose shows nicely defined quality oak aromas: spice, vanilla, sandalwood, which overlay a well-constructed base of blueberry/blackberry fruit. Full, rich wonderfully complex palate with a nice balance between spice, rich ripe fruit and a firm tannic structure. A good companion to red meats and game


"The 2003 Crianza, dark ruby in color, is made in a forward style from 100% Tinta de Toro aged 7 months in American oak. It offers attractive aromas and flavors of spice, black currant and black cherry in a medium-bodied format. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2007-2011. Imported by Kysela Père et Fils, LTD."
- Wine Advocate (issue 169), 88 pts

National Retail Price:
$18.99 / bottle



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#S0EE322011TPM
UPC code: 8 39061 00001 4
2003 Finca Sobreño, Toro, Reserva, Selección Especial, 6/750ml

"The 2003 Seleccion Especial is 100% Tinta de Toro aged for 14 months in American oak. Purple-colored, the nose offers up notes of clove, sandalwood, cedar, mineral, and blackberry. On the palate, notes of chocolate and coffee emerge. Sweetly-fruited, well-balanced, and satisfying, it will evolve for 4-6 years and be at its best between 2012 and 2020."
- Wine Advocate (Issue 175, Feb 08), 92 pts



#S0EE32210
UPC code: 8 39061 00001 4
2001 Finca Sobreño, Toro, Reserva, Selección Especial, 6/750ml
This wine is 100% Tinta de Toro from selected old-vines plots and aged during 14 months in American oak.
Production: 8,500 cases/year.
Deep dark cherry red color with dark purple tones. Powerful yet elegant nose, refined and stylish with ripe berry fruit, spicy complexity with scents of clove, sandalwood, vanilla, chocolate. Muscular, elegant yet silky smooth taste shows fruit preserves/jam blackberry and chocolate truffle. Concentrated and rich but not sweet with superb length. A good match for venison or wild boar with a fruit-based sauce.

"Ruby-red. Expansive, oak-accented blueberry and creme de cassis aromas display powerful vanilla, bourbon and cured tobacco nuances. The velvety dark berry flavors verge on liqueur-like but are firmed by juicy acidity and braced by firm tannins. Sweetness builds on the long, sappy finish, as do strong baking spice qualities."
- International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 2007), 90 pts

National Retail Price: $34.95 / bottle











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#S0EE32232
UPC code: 7 84585 00894 0
2003 Finca Sobreño, Toro, Reserva Familiar 3/750ml
Made from 100% Tinta de Toro (+60 year old vines).
Remontage (pumping over) and batonnage (stirring of the lees in the barrel) twice a day, fermentation with amaximun temperature of  28ºC. Malolactic fermentation in American oak barrels.

Aged in new American oak for 14 months. Egg fining. Slight filtration, no cold stabilization.
Deep cherry color. Aromas of good intensity dominated with fruits (blackberry, black plums) and a touch of vanilla.. Medium bodied, good acidity, good concentration and well integrated tannins.

"The expensive 2003 Reserva Seleccion de la Familia comes from older vines (60+ years) and is aged 14 months in new American oak. It is a powerful, deeply colored wine, but is currently a bit disjointed. The full tannin makes for a hard impression on the palate and shortens the finish. There is excellent material so this big wine could come together but that is a gamble. Imported by Kysela Père et Fils, LTD." - Wine Advocate (issue 169), 89 pts

National Retail Price: $76.95 / bottle