Last night I was invited to the London preview of the 2022 vintage releases from Artadi who are based in the Basque province of Álava, in Rioja Alavesa. The wines were excellent and I look forward to them being released next week.

We were also able to taste some back vintages and the stunning 2021 El Carretil was a standout.

Whilst their single vineyard El Pison is considered to be their top scoring wine, year in, year out, it is also much more expensive than the El Carretil (almost double the price) and just a point separates them in 2021 – making the 2021 El Carretil a seriously compelling proposition. We are also offering these wines at the sharpest price in the UK!

Artadi is a fascinating case study. They started production as harvesters in 1985, becoming part of a project by the Lacalle and Laorden families in 1992. The objective was to boost the region’s wines by applying new techniques to old vineyards, coupled with a respect for nature and the identity of each vine. This philosophy saw them abandon the Rioja DOC in 2015 and start, as the Spanish say, “producing freely.” Unshackled from the DOC restrictions, they began careful classification work that today reflects eight vineyards, all bottled in a pure, polished, primary style.

Artadi is committed to sustainable viticulture, and it uses organic and biodynamic farming practices.

2021 is a fresh vintage that follows the path of 2010, with fine but ripe tannins and lighter, elegant and fine-boned wines, because, despite being a warm year, the plants didn’t get stressed and the ripening was very good without very high peaks; the wines are ripe and fresh. Artadi are in the process of moving the élevage to larger barrels, 500- and 600-liter ones starting in 2021, with the idea to replace maybe 15% of them and move all the wines to 600-liter barrels.

“This has to be the finest vintage of El Carretil to date. Today, this hits the bull’s-eye. Bravo!”

Luis Gutierrez

2021 El Carretil, Artadi
@ £650 c/s IB – (3 bts per case OWC)

@ £255 per Magnum IB – (OWC/1)

@ £500 per Double Magnum  (3L) IB – ( OWC/1)

Intense aromas of white pepper, blueberries, graphite, metal shavings, violets, and black truffle follow through to a medium body with chewy and fine tannins and a very structured finish. Oyster shell as well. Subtle black pepper, too. Needs four or five years to soften and open. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2027.

99 Points James Suckling

2021 El Pison, Artadi
@ £475 per Magnum IB – (OWC/1)

Reductive at first before deep aromas emerge of mineral, fine herbs, white pepper, oyster shells, hibiscus, freshly chopped blueberries and forest berries. Really dissolved and transparent on the palate with great tension and immaculate tannins. Persistent, mineral-driven finish. Already approachable now but this has impeccable balance, allowing it to age effortlessly. Better give it two years to get rid of the reduction.

100 Points, James Suckling

Wines available for delivery autumn 2024.