Artadi : Tempranillo Single Vineyard Valdegines 2021

Tasting Notes and Recommendations for Artadi’s Tempranillo Single Vineyard Valdegines 2021

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep purple hue with ruby highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with notes of red cherries and crushed plums, alongside floral nuances of violet and hibiscus. Mineral touches evocative of crushed stone and oyster shells mingle with subtle hints of black pepper and black tea.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is dry and juicy, with a taut structure and fine, grainy tannins. The palate shows a chalky texture that gradually rounds out, offering medium to full concentration. The long, mineral finish lingers with aromas of redcurrant and strawberry.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with herb-roasted lamb with Mediterranean aromatics, grilled or braised beef, as well as game such as venison or wild boar. It also elegantly complements pork dishes, mushroom-roasted poultry, and vegetarian recipes featuring grilled vegetables and mushrooms.

Serving and cellaring

The Tempranillo Single Vineyard Valdegines 2021 benefits from being decanted for about an hour before serving and served at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2031.

A single-vineyard Tempranillo from La Rioja with a pronounced mineral expression

The estate

Founded in 1985 by Juan Carlos López de Lacalle as a cooperative in Rioja Alavesa, Bodegas y Viñedos Artadi became a family-owned estate in 1992, bringing together the López de Lacalle and Laorden families. Now led by Juan Carlos López de Lacalle and his son Carlos, representing the fourth generation, this 56-hectare property—certified organic since 2015—embodies a Spanish wine revolution. Its vineyards in Laguardia and Elvillar de Álava, between 450 and 700 meters above sea level, produce legendary single-vineyard cuvées such as Viña El Pisón, regularly praised by international critics and regarded among Spain’s greatest wines.

The vineyard

The Valdegines vineyard spans 4.4 hectares at 600 meters above sea level in the village of Laguardia. Planted in two phases in 1989 and 1992, it benefits from an east-facing exposure that provides moderate morning sunlight while protecting the vines from excessive afternoon heat. The plot features two distinct micro-terroirs: shallow soils on slopes of soft sandstone, and deeper, cooler soils along old rocky terraces. The nutrient-poor clay-limestone soils, with a silty texture and rich in chalk, rest on limestone deposits located at around one meter deep. Farmed under certified organic practices since 2016, this Rioja vineyard is cultivated without irrigation, encouraging deep vine rooting.

Winemaking and aging

The Tempranillo Single Vineyard Valdegines 2021 harvest was carried out by hand, with meticulous berry sorting. After destemming, the grapes underwent a cold soak for 24 to 48 hours prior to fermentation. Alcoholic fermentation took place in open wooden vats for 10 to 12 days, with manual punch-downs and gentle pump-overs performed twice daily. Malolactic fermentation occurred in French oak barrels. The wine was then aged for around nine months in French oak barrels, followed by 12 months of cellar rest before bottling in May 2023.

Grape variety

100% tempranillo