Artuke
Artuke - 'La Condenada', Rioja, Spain (2022)
Artuke - 'La Condenada', Rioja, Spain (2022)
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TASTING NOTES
Regularly rated 100 Points by Tim Atkin MW, this is one of the most celebrated wines of Spain & the world! It is so finessed, complex, layered and intense. Wild herbs, hot rocks, with rich black fruits, orange zest and elegance.
| REGION | Spain > Rioja Alavesa > La Condenada |
| GRAPE(S) |
Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha and some Cagazal or Calagraño - who knows??? |
| VINTAGE | 2022 |
| ABV | 14% |
| FEATURES | Organic |
| SCALE | Dry |
Fermentation is in 600-litre oak and aged for 12 months.
Rescued from neglect – hence its name, "The Condemned" – this is a traditional field blend from a high vineyard plot planted in 1920. It was bought by the Artuke brothers in 2012 as they could not resist the ancient bush-vines here producing such fantastic fruit. The field is planted with old Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha and some Cagazal or Calagraño vines, an obscure variety which resembles Palomino Fino. They want to maintain the style of viticulture that was traditionally done in the area so Arturo and Kike are gradually buying small abandoned plots next to La Condenada that used to be part of the vineyard.
Artuke is a small winery located in Baños de Ebro, a village in Rioja Alavesa on the banks of the river. In 1991, Roberto de Miguel decided to move away from bulk wine production onto bottled wine. Now his children Arturo and Kike, whose names are the basis of the winery they now lead, are shaping this project, firmly rooted in its surroundings and landscape.
Artuke is part of a group of young producers who are committed to making singular wines which reflect their origins and terroir. Conscious of their heritage —they carried out a detailed study of the soils in their plots, located in Baños de Ebro, Ábalos, San Vicente de la Sonsierra and later in Samaniego— they fight to preserve it rather than transform it. That is one of the reasons behind their efforts to work the 25 hectares they own in the old way —no trellis on site; their plants are all bush vines, even the new ones.
