Artuke 2021

Artuke 2021

Bodegas y Vinedos Artuke
$16.00

Grape: Tempranillo, Viura
Vintage: 2021
Type: Red

Crafted by brothers Arturo and Kike de Miguel Blanco in Baños de Ebro, this red wine represents a traditional look at Rioja Alavesa. The blend consists of ninety-five percent tempranillo and five percent viura, harvested from small, organically managed plots located four-hundred meters above sea level. The winemaking utilizes old-school whole-cluster carbonic maceration in stainless steel vats, driven by native wild yeasts. By avoiding oak aging, the producers protect a fresh varietal profile from standard wood manipulation.

It radiates a purple-ruby color, releasing lively aromatics of fresh blackberry, wild strawberry, and blue flowers. On the palate, the light-to-medium body is exceptionally juicy and direct, focusing on an energetic fruit presentation. Snappy flavors of tart plum interweave with a stony mineral baseline that reflects the local calcareous clay soils. Soft, unassuming tannins integrate with a clean, natural acidity that keeps the mouthfeel light.

Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke is located in the village of Baños de Ebro in the Rioja Alavesa region of Spain. Run by brothers Arturo and Kike de Miguel Blanco, the winery takes a more modern and terroir-focused approach to winemaking than many of the larger, traditional Rioja houses. The brothers champion a "Burgundian" philosophy, focusing on the character of individual vineyard plots rather than blending for a uniform style. Their wines are often classified by origin rather than by the traditional aging categories of Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva.