Artadi is one of the most sought-after
estates in Rioja, all are sold on allocation. Artadi began life as a small
co-operative in the mid 1980's, based on vineyard holdings around Logarno.
Winemaker Juan Carlos completed a buy-out of the company in the mid-1990s, and
had been moving quality ever upward since. These are intelligently made wines.
There is nothing "difficult" about them, in terms of having copious
fruit and good balance, but they are also exquisitely refined. There
are no "international" varieties planted here, only very traditional
Riojan grapes like Tempranillo and Viura. Yields from old vines are kept
extremely low, and the winemaking here is both innovative and deeply
traditional. A small proportion of the white wine grapes (Viura and Macabeo)
are co-fermented with red varieties.The wines are made and aged in wood, with
no stainless steel in the winery, before ageing is in small French oak
barrels. 100% new oak is employed for the top cuv?es. The
wines have a terrific opulence about them, and across the range share a
character or deep, serious fruit concentration, but with fine acid and tannin
balance. These are amongst the best Riojas available today.
"This brilliant
winery, run by Juan Carlos Lopez de la Calle, has produced some of Rioja's
most elegant yet intensely flavorful wine." Robert Parker
Rioja Riserva El Pison
1992
$49.99 very limited
Rioja Pagos Viejos
1998
$69.99 very limited
"The recently bottled, superb 1998 Pagos Viejos is one of the greatest
Riojas I have ever tasted. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sweet
nose of violets, black fruits, minerals, toasty new oak, and smoke. The wine is
full-bodied, with gorgeous purity, amazing symmetry for its exceptional size,
and an incredibly well-delineated finish. In short, it is great stuff!
Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025." 96 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
#130
"Medium ruby. Complex, vibrant, very expressive aromas of cherry, bitter
chocolate, eucalyptus, mocha, clove oil and sexy oak. Lively and penetrating,
with terrific clarity of flavor and verve. Finishes very long, with firm, fine
tannins." 92 Steve Tanzer,
International Wine Cellar 11/12-01
1997
$54.99 very limited
"Deep ruby. Tangy aromas of blackberry,
espresso, licorice and spicy oak, with the same suggestion of crystallized
berries shown by most of the above wines. Juicy, fresh flavors of blackberry,
black raspberry and minerals. Not especially fleshy but structured to age, and
very long for the vintage. Slightly spiky acids and tannins will need time to
harmonize."
89-91Steve
Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/12-99
Reserva 1996
$64.99 very limited
Rioja Vinas de Gain
1996
$16.99 very limited
"The 1996 Vinas de Gain emerges from a collection of vineyards planted in
clay/limestone soil. The wine is completed destemmed, fermented/macerated for 50
days, and aged in small barriques, of which 50% are French and 50% American oak.
The wine boasts a deep, saturated ruby/purple color, an attractive, French-like
nose of lead pencil and pain grille intermixed with black currants, cherries,
and minerals. Long and medium to full-bodied, with terrific fruit purity, and
good softness and acidity, this is a stunning Rioja. Drinkable now, it promises
to last and possibly improve for 8-10 years. This wine is a special cuvee for
the USA market." 91 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #123
Juan Carlos Lopez de la
Calle
owner, winemaker
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