The producer
Artadi is somewhat of a newbie in terms of Rioja – established only in 1985 – but quickly rose to the highest level of quality in Rioja. Artadi has been hugely successful with vineyards in Navarra (Artazu) and Alicante (El Segue) and is also among the best of those appellations.
The range includes excellent village wines and several single vineyard wines, all exemplary quality. The top wine is Vina El Pison, from a 2.4ha single vineyard of very old vines near Laguardia. Since 2015 Artadi choose no longer to use the DOCa of Rioja, rather labelling the wines “Laguardia”. Regardless of classification, this is a powerful but extremely elegant representation of wines from Rioja, of which it is at least geographically part.
The wine
La Poza de Ballesteros is made from a 5,6-hectare single vineyard plot, in Elvillar de Alava, planted in 1960 to Tempranillo. Vines are west facing, at 600 meters of altitude, and in poor clay-limestone soils. 100% Tempranillo, Poza de Ballesteros ferments for 10-12 days in open-top vats with daily pigeage and pumping over and is then allowed to mature for 9 months in French oak barrels. A wine of intense and ripe fruit concentration, with a dense and velvety texture, and broad yet ripe tannins. Poza de Ballesteros can be kept for decades.
