Valdegines 2021 (Artadi)

Cellar for up to 24 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. Seductive cassis, crushed blackberries and dried Mediterranean herbs delight the nose, while the first sip reveals an elegant structure, generous full body, silky soft tannins and enticing wild berry flavours. The very long finish and balancing freshness of the Valdegines make this an ideal bottle to treat loved ones on a special occasion. Try pairing this graceful Rioja with suckling pig roasted in the oven or herby lamb chops for a match truly made in heaven. Although only founded some 35 years ago, the Artadi estate has quickly built a reputation for top Rioja wines which express an authentic sense of the local terroir. The Valdegines is one of their three premium single vineyard wines which all have a unique character honed aby the microclimate and soil conditions of each particular site. Located at 650 metres above sea level, the east-facing Valdegines vineyard in Laguardia help to produce intensely concentrated aromas and flavours while retaining freshness in the wine thanks to the cool nights. All of the grapes are harvested żeby hand and fermented using indigenous yeasts before the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 12 months.