Wine Advocate 97 points - The 2008 Vina el Pison comes from a single vineyard planted in 1945 on pure limestone. It is the epitome of elegance with a sensual bouquet, a silky texture, already complex flavors, and a lengthy, pure finish. It will offer at least a 20 year lifespan, just long enough for the 2009 to be hitting its stride.
In addition to the two new releases listed above, I received samples of the various components of the 2009 Pagos Viejos. Inky purple, dense and rich, it will surely be a contender for a perfect score. But that is a story for next year.
(Jun 2011)
Fashioned from a vineyard planted in 1931 on pure limestone, this wine is outrageously rich complex, and profound. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of sweet black fruits, vanilla, flowers, and minerals. There are layers of fruit, great flavor, extraction, unbelievable finesse, complexity and elegance. The finish lasts for nearly a minute. Full-bodied and super-concentrated.
| Producer |
| Owner Juan Carlos Lopez de la Calle has been surrounded by old vines and great wines since early childhood when he used to accompany his grandfather during harvest time in Rioja. Dedication to detailed, delicate and hard work is something he learned at an early age, and these are governing principles for his three award-winning wineries in Rioja, Navarra and Alicante. Artadi’s ideology is that “the value of a great wine is intimately linked to the land and its people.” The conviction to safeguard this intimate link is what drove Juan Carlos to make wine in three distinct regions of Spain. Producing wines made from the single most important variety of each appellation, working with
estate-grown fruit and developing a team of viticultural experts that respect the traditions and climate of each region are Bodegas Artadi’s fundamental keys to success. If asked, Juan Carlos would say the peculiarity of different soils, disparate climates and the inherent excellence of the grape varieties are the genesis of the authenticity of Artadi’s portfolio of wines. Indeed when one looks at Artadi’s contribution to Spanish winemaking, we find wines with character, personality and identity that reflect their roots in natural viticulture. |
