El Escolladero 2021

Wine Description for El Escolladero 2021 by Artuke

Colour & Appearance

A youthful, luminous purple-red.

Nose

On the nose, this Rioja shows itself completely unadorned. Instead of baroque opulence, a fascinating, chalky limestone minerality reigns supreme here. It is a purist, straight-lined bouquet that dispenses entirely with masking oak make-up, exuding a cool, almost intellectual aesthetic.

Palate

The palate reveals a gripping balance of wildness and aristocratic elegance. The wine does not build itself on breadth, but shines slim, racy and vibrant. A tight-knit, fine-grained tannin structure and a razor-sharp, piquant acidity give the wine enormous tension and drive.

Finish

The finish is immensely juicy, grippy and uncompromisingly clear. It leaves a salty sensation on the lips and immediately demands the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from a 0.95-hectare single vineyard site at an altitude of 650 metres in Ábalos (Rioja Alavesa), right at the foot of the protective Sierra Cantabria. The poor, calcareous clay soil and the cool nights of this high altitude significantly shape the wine’s freshness.

Grape Variety & Vinification

The wine is based on a 73-year-old field blend of Tempranillo and Graciano (planted in 1950). Brothers Arturo and Kike de Miguel Blanco ferment the grapes traditionally with their stems. The ageing takes place very gently for 12 months in 600-litre wooden casks, so as not to dominate the fruit.

Food Pairings

This structured, fresh red wine cries out for purist meat dishes. It is an excellent partner for pan-seared rack of lamb with rosemary, fine duck breast or braised wild game birds.

Special Features

Stylistically, El Escolladero breaks with the traditional, oak-heavy Rioja cliché. Declared as an absolute top wine (“Grand Cru”) in the Burgundian style, it shows an uncompromising, almost architectural clarity that is second to none in the region.