2007 Artadi El Pison Rioja

There is something peaceful about this discrete 2.5 hectare vineyard located just to the east of the town of Laguardia. Situated in a natural hollow, too small to be called a valley, a coomb perhaps, the vineyard dates from 1945,and is sheltered by a modest dry-stone wall and a farm building which has definitely seen better days. The microclimate, allied to the minerals in the limestone and clay soils, yields one of the best wines in Spain, for many the best wine in Spain.

The secret of Tempranillo seems to reside in its hidden depth; gregarious and initially appearing far too attractive to be remotely serious, this wine gradually revels the true depth of its personality; the black fruits are ripe of course , but are backed by notes of laurel, licorice, garrigue and forest floor; the tannins are finely-tuned needless to say, but are swathed in a fine minerality; all in all this is clearly very fine indeed. Juan Carlos thinks it more closely resembles 2004 than 2001, but is sure that it will be better than both of them.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

The 2007 Vina El Pison comes from a single Tempranillo vineyard planted in 1945 on pure limestone. It spent 16-18 months in new French oak. It offers an ethereal perfume of pain grille, liquid mineral, crushed stone, lavender, incense, blueberry, and black cherry. This leads to a beautifully proportioned, elegant, velvety wine with opulent fruit, plenty of ripe tannin, and an exceptionally lengthy finish. Drink this seamless, totally pleasure-bent, intellectually satisfying wine from 2010 to 2025.
(Jay Miller - Wine Advocate - Jun 09)