El Carretil 2018

Wine Description for El Carretil 2018 by Artadi

Colour & Appearance

Luminous ruby red with pomegranate reflections, medium intensity that already hints at the elegance of this high-altitude vineyard site in the glass. Brilliant clarity.

Nose

Captivingly delicate and complex: red cherries, raspberries and strawberries dominate, underpinned by violets, fine herbs and a whisper of graphite. The oak is perfectly integrated – subtle vanilla and cedarwood frame the fruit without overwhelming it. With air, liquorice and Mediterranean herbs develop.

Palate

Here the magic of the chalky, sandy soils reveals itself: The wine glides across the palate with silky texture, carried by fine acidity and refined tannins. The fruit is precise and cool, never jammy despite 14.5% alcohol. Red berries, pomegranate and a mineral saltiness lend the wine extraordinary drinking pleasure. The balance between power and finesse is masterful.

Finish

Long, elegant and with vibrant freshness. The minerality carries far, accompanied by cherry stones and subtle spice. A wine that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

Amphitheatre-shaped vineyard site at 500 metres altitude with exposure from east through south to west. The chalky, sandy soils give El Carretil its characteristic elegance and finesse – in contrast to the more powerful, clay-based El Pisón. Vines over 70 years old, farmed biodynamically.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Tempranillo from a single vineyard site. Artadi deliberately eschews the traditional ageing categories of Reserva and Gran Reserva, but employs subtle oak that never masks the terroir. The philosophy: expression of place over convention.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Roasted milk-fed lamb, duck breast with cherries, aged Manchego, porcini risotto or tuna steak. The wine has the elegance for fine dining and the structure for heartier dishes.

Special Features

Artadi left the DOCa Rioja in 2016 – a bold move that underscores its uncompromising quality philosophy. El Carretil is a love letter to terroir and craftsmanship.