Artadi Rioja Blanco 'Vinas de Gain'

The Artadi estate was created in 1985 by the dynamic visionary winemaker, Juan Carlos Lopez de la Calle. His objective was to seek and nurture the concept that Tempranillo, when cultivated at high altitude, low-cropped, and from old vines, produces extraordinarily rich and profound wines. This, coupled with specific barrel treatments (with minor American oak influences) produces some of Rioja’s best wines.

'The white 2017 Viñas de Gaín Blanco comes from a year marked by the frost of the 28th of April that resulted in a loss of 20% to 25% of Artadi's crop. The grapes come from a number of vineyards in Laguardia and Elvillar at 450 to 700 meters in altitude on clay and limestone soils. It fermented in oak for 15 days, with some skins in the beginning, but finished fermenting in stainless steel. Only a fraction of the wine matured in barrel for a month, but in general, the élevage was two years and four months in stainless steel. It has a developed nose with notes of kerosene and dried flowers, a hint of chamomile and yellow fruit but without creaminess or honeyed notes. In fact, the palate is very austere and chalky, with some citrus and white flower notes.' - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 92 points