2007 Artadi, Pagos Viejos, Rioja

Eponymous old vines, some approaching their half century, punctuate the gentle limestone hillsides of Rioja Alavesa. The quality of the Tempranillo grapes is high beyond dispute, but they are still treated to the rigours of six sorting tables in the quest for perfection, an on-going process as they are currently mid-way through their ageing in new Allier barriques. The tasting of the wines pre-assemblage from 6 different sites revealed astonishing differences from the various microclimates; the finished article is greater than the sum of its parts;

the truffly notes from the Biurco vineyard, allied to the firm tannins from Valandres and then a perfumed elegance from San Lorenzo....add the genius of Juan Carlos and the wine is complete, very complete in every sense.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

The 2007 Pagos Viejos is sourced from Artadi’s three best and most elevated vineyard sites, all planted to Tempranillo over 75 years of age. The wine was aged for 18 months in new French oak. It sports a superb aromatic array of toasty new oak, pencil lead, violets, incense, black cherry, and blueberry. Elegant, ripe, and velvety on the palate, it has superb depth and concentration, savory flavors, a firm structure, and a 45-second finish. Give it 6-8 years of additional bottle age and drink it from 2016 to 2032.
(Jay Miller - Wine Advocate - Jun 09)