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Juan Carlos López
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In 1985 the dynamic visionary winemaker, Juan Carlos Lopez de la Calle set out to prove that Tempranillo could make profound wines. His proof came with Artadi, made from high-altitude, low-cropped old vines. This, coupled with specific barrel treatment (including mostly all French oak) produces one of Rioja's most exciting new wines.
Bodegas Artadi is located in the sub-zone of Rioja Alavesa. These high elevation vineyards are distinguished by a higher incedence of calcaire in the soils. This is most evident in the pure limestone vineyard "El Pison", planted in 1931, which Juan Carlos aptly refers to as "the Musigny of Rioja".
Artadi is about purity of extracted fruit with almost Burgundian textures: sheer power, complexity and startling finesse. The results have been astounding!
Not one to rest on his laurels, Lopez de la Calle took on two more challenges: Grenache and Monastrell. His Artazu project, based far north in Navarra, is producing old-vine Grenache, while the El Sequé project is turning out brilliant examples of old-vine Monastrell from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (near Jumilla).
In 2003, Wine & Spirits Magazine name Artadi as one of their "Top 100 Wineries of the Year." And Robert Parker: "With good argument, Artadi could well be considered the most exciting enterprise in Rioja."
For more information about this producer and his wines, please visit http://www.europeancellars.com.
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