Tempranillo

Artadi in Rioja Alavesa has revolutionised the interpretation of Tempranillo under the leadership of Juan Carlos López de Lacalle. His radical departure from the traditional Rioja system in favour of a Burgundian, vineyard-oriented approach has set new standards. The biodynamically cultivated single vineyards show an unprecedented transparency - the wines are precise translations of their origins, with an almost crystalline clarity that allows the different limestone and clay soils to stand out clearly.

With Felix Callejo Tempranillos of remarkable elegance are produced in Ribera del Duero. On the barren, calcareous plateaus at an altitude of over 900 metres, the grape variety develops a fascinating combination of power and finesse. Biodynamic cultivation and the avoidance of overripe grapes result in wines of almost Burgundian precision - complex and multi-layered, but never overloaded.

The Tempranillo interpretation of Fernando Remirez de Ganuza in Samaniego, Rioja Alavesa, stands for a meticulous, almost obsessive approach to quality. His revolutionary method of grape selection, which he introduced in the 1990s, separates the upper, sun-exposed and riper parts of the grape (las espaldas) from the lower, less ripe parts (las puntas). Only the upper shoulder parts of the grapes, which make up around 2/3 of the harvest, find their way into the Gran Reserva and Reserva wines. This radical selection method, combined with the use of special pressing methods - such as a specially developed horizontal press for the white grapes - results in wines of exceptional precision. Ageing takes place exclusively in new French oak, but the quality of the grapes and the perfect ripeness of the grape lots used ensure that the wood never dominates. The resulting Tempranillos have an almost Burgundian texture - silky, precise, with an impressive combination of power and finesse. They show the full potential of Tempranillo in the limestone soils of Rioja Alavesa.

The Tempranillo itself is a grape variety of astonishing adaptability. Its medium berry size and compact grapes make it susceptible to botrytis, which requires the utmost attention, especially in organic viticulture. However, it is precisely this sensitivity that makes it a perfect seismograph for terroir and the winemaker's signature. At its best, it combines the power and flavour of its Spanish homeland with an almost Burgundian elegance - dark fruit, tobacco and leather meet floral notes and a fine mineral vein.

This new generation of Tempranillo wines impressively proves that Spain's flagship grape variety can do far more than just produce powerful wines characterised by wood. In the hands of these natural winemakers, interpretations of captivating authenticity are created - wines that reflect both their origins and the new self-image of Spanish viticulture.