Artuke 'Finca de Los Locos' Rioja 2023

This site is situated around 500 metres above sea level. All bush vines, no
trellising. This is an interplanted site of tempranillo, graciano, viura. Tempranillo
makes up 90% of the wine. The title translates to "crazy garden in the sky" - a
reference to the elevation here and the fact all the locals thought Arturo and
Kiki's (current custodians) grandfather was crazy when he decided to plant at
such a height. This looks great and is a fantastic flag-bearer for the Artuke style
which is one of refinement, freshness, in-build structure and no reliance on oak
or artefact. It's both generous and firmly structured at the same time which to
me suggests suitability for both immediate drinking or some time in the cellar.
Artuke is a producer using old traditional methods to form modern, bright and
lively wines. They're amongst the best in the region for me when it comes the
quality of their reds. - Ches Cook, Five Way Cellars.

The label of the single-vineyard 2023 Finca de Los Locos now has the name of the "paraje" where the vines are, Peñaescalera in Baños de Ebro. It comes from a 2.8-hectare plot planted in 1981 on sandy and gravel soils at 120 meters above sea level. This year, it's 70% Tempranillo, 25% Graciano and 5% white Viura, with more Graciano this time, which possibly contributes to the seriousness of the wine. It comes in at 13.8% alcohol and a pH of 3.42, very good and balanced parameters that imply freshness. It matured in 3,500-liter oak vats for 12 months. It's perfumed and elegant, floral and herbal, with dark fruit and a medium to full-bodied palate with very fine tannins and great harmony. 10,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2024. 94 Pts Wine Advocate Luis Gutiérrez.