2003 Santa Cruz de Artazuri
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Tasting notes
(100% old-vines garnacha planted on chalk at 800 meters) Deep ruby-red. Superripe but bright and pure aromas of black cherry, minerals and pepper. Sweet, thick and dense but also sappy and spicy, with sound acidity for the year. Creamy, alluring grenache, at once lush and solidly structured. Finishes with broad, fine tannins that reach the front teeth and suggestions of sexy French oak (40% new). This would outclass a lot of 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape bottlings. .
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The profound 2003 Santa Cruz (also 100% Grenache) is fashioned from an 80-100-year old vineyard planted in pure chalk at a lofty elevation of 715 meters (the northernmost and coolest sub-zone in Navarra). A gloriously pure bouquet of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, licorice, and pepper jumps from the glass of this amazingly full-bodied, rich, ripe 2003. With soft tannin, decent acidity, and a wonderful crispness despite its weighty concentration and headiness, this stunning Spanish Grenache should be enjoyed over the next 3-5 years. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
The profound 2003 Santa Cruz (also 100% Grenache) is fashioned from an 80-100-year old vineyard planted in pure chalk at a lofty elevation of 715 meters (the northernmost and coolest sub-zone in Navarra). A gloriously pure bouquet of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, licorice, and pepper jumps from the glass of this amazingly full-bodied, rich, ripe 2003. With soft tannin, decent acidity, and a wonderful crispness despite its weighty concentration and headiness, this stunning Spanish Grenache should be enjoyed over the next 3-5 years. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 159 Jun 2005
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.