Artuke, 2021 Pies Negros, Rioja

$235.20/ 6-bottle case

Pies Negros is a blend of Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from (mostly) Ábalos and Samaniego. Reflecting the cooler 2018 vintage, it's dense, focused and comparatively restrained, with subtle 15% new wood, racy dark berry fruit and the balance and precision that are typical of the Artuke style. Nuanced and long on the palate. 2023-28 (Tim Atkin MW, 2018 vintage)

About the producer

Artuke is a small winery located in Baños de Ebro, a village in Rioja Alavesa on the banks of the river. In 1991, Roberto de Miguel decided to move away from bulk wine production onto bottled wine. Now his children Arturo and Kike, whose names are the basis of the winery they now lead, are shaping this project, firmly rooted in its surroundings and landscape.

Artuke is part of a group of young producers who are committed to making singular wines which reflect their origins and terroir. Conscious of their heritage —they carried out a detailed study of the soils in their plots, located in Baños de Ebro, Ábalos, San Vicente de la Sonsierra and later in Samaniego— they fight to preserve it rather than transform it. That is one of the reasons behind their efforts to work the 25 hectares they own in the old way —no trellis on site; their plants are all bush vines, even the new ones.