Artadi La Hoya 2023

Artadi began in 1985 as a union of Rioja Alavesa growers and is now run by the family of the late Juan Carlos López de Lacalle, who built the estate around transparent, single-variety, single-vineyard wines. La Hoya comes from one plot of younger Tempranillo vines in the Basque Country foothills, on the region's chalky limestone and clay soils. These pale, calcareous soils reflect light and hold water through dry summers, giving fresh, mineral-framed reds, and the altitude and cool nights keep the acidity firm. Farming is organic. The wine ferments and then ages 12 months in 225 litre French oak barrels, where slow oxygen transfer through the staves rounds the tannin and adds a light spice and vanilla lift while leaving the fruit in the foreground. The colour is bright cherry red. The nose shows red cherry, raspberry and plum over crushed stone and dried herbs. The palate is medium bodied and elegant, with juicy red fruit, fine tannins and a long, savoury, mineral finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It pairs well with roast lamb, grilled beef and aged sheep's cheese.