An elegant single-vineyard Rioja made from Tempranillo and Graciano – fresh, finely structured and of remarkable depth, far removed from the classic heaviness of Rioja.
Bottler: Bodega Artuke, La Serna Kalea 24 , 01307 Baños del Ebro, Mañueta / Spain
In the glass
Colour
Deep, luminous cherry red with violet reflections.
Nose
Ripe dark berries such as blackberry and black cherry, accompanied by floral notes of violet, delicate herbal spice and a cool, mineral streak.
Palate
Juicy fruit meets firm tannins and vibrant acidity; the finish is long, precise and marked by chalky minerality.
Character
A precise, terroir-driven red wine with Burgundian finesse – powerful yet never heavy, with a palpable freshness derived from its high-altitude vineyard.
Pairing
Rack of lamb with rosemary, wild boar stew, aged Manchego.
Notes
Sourced from a single vineyard in Ábalos at 600 metres altitude on limestone-clay soils; the vines, planted in 1950 (85% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano), lend it minerality and complexity. The de Miguel Blanco brothers vinify organically farmed plots in the Burgundian style – maturation takes place in large 600-litre casks.
Tasting note
Character
A single-vineyard Rioja of the new school: fresh, profound and mineral in character, far removed from the heavy, oak-dominated wines long associated with the region. El Escolladero displays red and dark berry fruit, delicate herbal notes and a taut, elegant structure – a wine that places terroir above winemaking.
Terroir & Origin
The El Escolladero vineyard is located in Ábalos, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, at an altitude of around 600 metres. The clay-limestone soils lend the wine its distinctive minerality and tension, whilst the cool nights at this elevation ensure freshness and fine acidity. Here, at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria, brothers Arturo and Kike de Miguel Blanco farm their vineyards organically and by hand – craftsmanship rather than mechanisation.
Grape Varieties & Vinification
A blend of Tempranillo and Graciano from vines planted in 1950. Tempranillo provides fruit and elegance, whilst Graciano contributes spice, structure and vibrant acidity. Vinification is gentle, and maturation takes place in large 600-litre casks, giving the wine space to develop without overwhelming it with oak flavours. Thus, the expression of terroir remains paramount – the hallmark of the estate.
Food Pairings
The combination of freshness, fine tannins and mineral depth makes this Rioja an ideal table wine for rack of lamb with rosemary, braised ox cheek or paella with chorizo and peppers. It is also an excellent match for mature Manchego and tapas such as patatas bravas or chorizo a la sidra.
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