2019 Rioja Vinas de Gain
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Tempranillo. Baked black fruit, furry but rounded tannins, moderate acid, a touch of meatiness on the finish. Savoury and austere. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Viñas de Gaín Vineyard Selection is 100% Viura from Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. It underwent fermentation with skin-contact for five days and aged for six months in barrels, followed by an additional two years in stainless steel. This yellow-white wine presents peach and fennel aromas that soar over a green apple core. Dry and fairly tannic on the palate, the creamy and refreshing mouthfeel lingers long with a taut expression.
The young red 2019 Viñas de Gaín was produced with Tempranillo grapes from different vineyards in Laguardia and Elvillar at 450 to 700 meters in altitude, and it fermented in oak and stainless steel vats followed by malolactic in barrel and an élevage in barrel for nine months. They aimed for a fresh, fruit-driven and juicy red that comes from a low-yielding year, so the wine is concentrated but keeps the approachable style. It has nice balance. In warmer and riper years, they do shorter macerations at lower temperature and a short élevage to keep the aromatic and fruit-driven character, avoiding heavy wines. This is always a very good value within the Artadi range. 90,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2020.
About the producer
Owner and winemaker Juan Carlos López de Lacalle is among an elite group of global vintners whose expertise creates wines that stand above others in their regions. Artadi produces refined Rioja in unoaked and oaked styles, including superb Reservas and single-vineyard wines such as Viña El Pisón.