Info
The history of Artadi goes back to a cooperative project. In 1985, several producers joined forces, who were of the opinion that it is possible to produce top wines in the region without extremely long barrel aging. Under the leadership of Juan Carlos López de Lacalle, they succeeded in refining this process over the decades and to achieve remarkable successes. In 2016, it was decided to leave the DOCa Rioja, as the philosophy was too different from that of the rest of the appellation. Even today, Artadi does not produce wines of the Reserva and Gran Reserva stages. Nevertheless, they do not renounce to discreet use of wood, but without covering the terroir.
In the Single Plot Wines series, Artadi has been presenting a series of site wines that used to be part of the Pagos Viejos cuvée for a few years now.
The vineyard La Poza de Ballesteros is located at 600 meters above sea level in Elvilar de Alava and covers 5.6 hectares. The site was planted with Tempranillo in 1960 and is completely exposed to the west. The soil is deep, clayey limestone.
Color
Dark cherry red, violet reflections
Nose
The nose seems more lush and concentrated than the other single-vineyard wines tasted. Blackberry and black cherries are joined by plum, elderberry and blueberries. The fruit is intense and reminiscent of wild berry compote. Dark chocolate, but also liquorice, cinnamon and a little leather round off the spectacle. Above all, the small-berried, dark nuances come to the fore again and again. With increasing oxygen, the cherry also appears more acidic and the wine develops more facets.
Palate
The La Poza de Ballesteros shows itself lush on the palate. However, not concentrated or overloaded, but generous and rich. It presents itself taut and with a lot of pressure. Lime and Tempranillo work excellently together here as well. The fruit expression seems straightforward, the develops a delicate minerality and this silky robe suits it very, very well. The tannin presents itself fine-grained again and forms a perfect symbiosis with the fruit concentration, which seems to get better with every sip. The sweet and sour fruit of berries and dark stone fruit plays with it congenially and merges with acidity and tannin in a long finish.
Food recommendations from Marian Henß
- Roasted veal heart with bean salad and roasted pine nuts
- Beef roulade with morels and parsley mash
- BBQ duck with salted cherries
Allergens | Contains sulfur |
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Winemaker | Artadi |
Country | Spain |
Region | Rioja & Navarre |
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Alcohol content | |
Residual sweetness | ■□□□□ |
Drinking temperature | 18° |
Parker points | 94 |
Manufacturer | Artadi S.A., Carretera de Logroño s/n, 01300 Localidad: Laguardia / Spain, Organic Certificate: ES-ECO-026-VAS |