2020 Artadi Quintanilla

Artadi is located in the high altitude region of Rioja, Spain. It was founded in 1985 by winemaker Juan Carols Lopez de Lacalle who wanted to produce outstanding Tempranillo from old vines. In its relatively short life the 173-acre Artadi has won rave reviews from such writers as Robert M. Parker Jr. who has called Lacalle “one of Spain’s most creative and brilliant visionaries.” Parker added that Lacalle produces “some of Spain’s (and the world’s) greatest wines.” The estate produces up to 70,000 bottles a year.

Think leather and cherries together for Tempranillo wines. This wine looks lighter than it is. It can be medium or full bodied, but its thin-skinned, big grapes, give it a more transparent appearance. It is grown in Spain, Portugal, the U.S. and Australia.