A modern, unoaked, vibrant and juicy style of Rioja - a great introduction to wines from the newly styled 'Rioja Oriental' (from the eastern region of Rioja - previously known as Rioja Baja).
Production
Made from Tempranillo grapes cultivated on the hillside vineyards of Rioja Baja (now called Rioja Oriental). These vineyards are around 600 metres above sea level and have clay stone soil. 80% of the vines are trained using the trellis system and 20% are bush trained. The Tempranillo grapes are crushed and chilled for several hours before fermentation is started. Fermentation is temperature controlled and lasts for 15 days, with twice daily pumping over.
Artesa Rioja Tempranillo 2022 (6 bottles case)
Vivino ratings
Tasting notes
Appealing black fruit aromas and hints of spice lead to juicy plum and bramble fruit characters on the palate. Fresh acidity balances ripe tannins on the finish.
Food match
Will go well with lamb and mint kebabs, or a hearty Spanish paella.
Info
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ABV
14%
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CASE/BOTTLE SIZE
6 x 75cl
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REGION/COUNTRY
RIOJA, SPAIN
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GRAPE
TEMPRANILLO 100%
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FEATURES
VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, SUSTAINABLE
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CLOSURE
SCREWCAP
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WINEMAKER
RUBEN PÉREZ CUEVAS
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APPELLATION
D.O.CA RIOJA
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ALLERGEN INFO
CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS
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Meet the producer
Bodegas Ontañón is a 5th generation family-owned and run winery in Rioja Baja (now Rioja Oriental). Here Raquel, Rubén and Maria Pérez Cuevas continue their father Gabriel's work to develop Bodegas Ontañón into one of the most highly-regarded wineries in Rioja. Ontañón has vast swathes of vineyard in this part of Rioja. Whilst wine production in the region is typically very dependent on contracts with grape growers, the Pérez Cuevas family has seen fit to invest heavily in the purchase of its own land and vines. Its 250ha is a testament to the importance it places on controlling grape quality.
The family's vineyards sit high in the Sierra Yerga mountains in the prestigious region surrounding Quel, defying misconceptions that Rioja Baja is one of the lesser sub-regions within Rioja. Many of their vineyards are actually planted at altitudes on a par with, or above, those in Rioja Alta and Alavesa; (La Pasada is their highest vineyard at 800m above sea level, planted in 1979 it is used for Reserva and Gran Reserva wines). The hot and dry Mediterranean climate allows for consistent ripening of the grapes with little disease and this has enabled them to pursue organic production across 57 hectares of vines.