La Poza de Ballesteros 2021

Wine Description for La Poza de Ballesteros 2021 by Artadi

Colour & Appearance

Luminous purple-red with youthful intensity, reflecting the vitality of the vintage.

Nose

Impressively multi-layered and characterised by cool elegance. Black cherry and blackberry unfold with dark fruit intensity, accompanied by pronounced earthy minerality. The aromatics are refreshingly vibrant and stimulating – a bouquet that unites tension and balance in perfect harmony.

Palate

Here the true class of this wine reveals itself: noble, mouth-filling tannins meet mineral pressure and dense structure. Compared to other Artadi single vineyard sites such as Valdegines, La Poza presents itself with greater body and concentration, without losing its tension. The interplay of rounded body, vibrant acidity and silky texture is almost perfectly balanced. A juicy character runs through the wine, lending it remarkable freshness despite its fullness.

Finish

Long, elegant and with fine-grained tannin that resonates fluffy and refined. The dark fruit and minerality remain present – a finale that underscores depth and complexity.

Terroir & Origin

The wine comes from a mere 1.2 hectare vineyard in Elvillar at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria. The west-facing site at 600 metres altitude benefits from the cooler microclimate of Basque Rioja Alavesa. The 63-year-old Tempranillo vines are rooted in loamy-sandy, chalky soils – ideal conditions for wines of extraordinary minerality and depth.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Tempranillo from certified organic cultivation. The destemmed grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation, ageing takes place in oak barrels of varying size and age. Artadi’s philosophy: terroir before cellar technique, precision before extraction.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Perfect with leg of lamb, grilled ribeye or Pizza Margherita. The structure and minerality also harmonise beautifully with aged Manchego or braised beef stew.

Special Features

Artadi deliberately left the Rioja association to produce uncompromisingly terroir-driven wines – La Poza is an impressive example of this philosophy. A wine that combines power with finesse and is already accessible now, yet also possesses ageing potential for the next 10-15 years.