2019 Artadi La Poza de Ballesteros BIO

The 2019 Artadi La Poza de Ballesteros BIO is a powerful, single-vineyard Tempranillo from one of Rioja Alavesa’s most respected artisans. Sourced from a 3.6-hectare plot planted in 1960, it captures the depth and character that only old vines and thoughtful biodynamic farming can deliver. This is a serious, ageworthy Rioja that balances Mediterranean warmth with the freshness and structure typical of Artadi’s high-altitude sites.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 La Poza de Ballesteros shows a very intense, deep cherry to dark ruby color, almost opaque at the core with a vibrant rim. The nose opens with aromas of ripe black cherry and dark plum wrapped in notes of cocoa, sweet baking spices, creamy French oak, and dark chocolate. Layers of laurel leaf, tobacco, black pepper, and a subtle earthy minerality gradually emerge as the wine breathes, giving it great aromatic complexity. On the palate, this is full-bodied, concentrated, and decidedly powerful, yet beautifully balanced. The texture is fleshy and almost creamy, with dense, mouth-filling fruit supported by a firm but polished tannin structure and a line of fresh, vibrant acidity. Flavors of ripe black fruit, cocoa, chocolate, sweet spices, bay leaf, and a hint of smoked tobacco and cracked black pepper carry through to a long, persistent, and spicy finish. While already seductive in its youth, the structure and intensity suggest excellent aging potential over the next 10–15 years, during which the oak will integrate further and the savory, tertiary notes will become more pronounced.

Production
La Poza de Ballesteros is a single 3.6-hectare vineyard in the village of Elvillar in Rioja Alavesa, planted in 1960 on soils that allow the old Tempranillo vines to root deeply. The terroir combines limestone, clay, and stones at altitude, benefitting from a slightly more Mediterranean microclimate and an east-facing exposure that captures the midday sun, promoting earlier and more complete ripening. Artadi farms this site organically and biodynamically, with meticulous work in the vineyard to preserve biodiversity and express the unique character of the plot. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, then fully destemmed before fermentation in open wooden vats, encouraging gentle extraction and fine tannin. After fermentation, the wine is aged for around 14 months in French oak barrels, where it develops its signature creamy texture, spice complexity, and integrated structure while maintaining the purity of old-vine Tempranillo fruit.

Food & Serving
This is a superb gastronomic wine that shines alongside rich, savory dishes. Think grilled or roasted lamb, beef ribeye, Iberico pork, venison, or other game, as well as slow-braised short ribs, oxtail, and hearty stews. It also pairs beautifully with dishes featuring mushrooms, truffles, roasted root vegetables, or aged hard cheeses like Manchego or Comté. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to showcase both its aromatic complexity and freshness. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended, especially in its youth, to fully open up the layers of dark fruit, spice, and chocolate, and to soften the firm tannins.

Producer
Artadi, officially Bodegas y Viñedos Artadi, began life in the 1980s as a small growers’ cooperative and has since become one of the most acclaimed producers in Spain. Based in Rioja Alavesa, in the Basque part of Rioja, Artadi has been instrumental in elevating single-vineyard Tempranillo to a world-class level, emphasizing terroir and precision over mass blending. Today they craft top-quality wines from three regions—Rioja Alavesa, Navarra, and Alicante—working organically and biodynamically to reflect the nuances of each site. In Rioja Alavesa, Artadi focuses solely on Tempranillo across roughly 70 hectares of vineyards planted on mainly calcareous soils with clay and stones at around 700 meters altitude, under a climate that intricately mixes oceanic and continental influences. Their commitment to low yields, meticulous vineyard work, and careful, oak-led élevage has earned them international recognition and a reputation as one of the benchmark modern producers of Rioja.

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