2017 Rioja Vinas de Gain
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Tasting notes
Cooked black fruit, very bitter acidity, dry and austere. All the joy has been stripped away, perhaps a result of having been rebottled into sample bottles? (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The red 2017 Viñas de Gaín was marked by the frost of the 28th of April, when they lost 20% to 25% of the crop, but as I've seen in other wineries, the wines are much better than expected, especially when it comes to freshness, given the low yields and very early harvest. This fermented in oak vats and matured in oak barrels for eight months. It's fresh and tender, with ripeness but without excess, quite fruit-driven. It has a velvety texture and good quality tannins. An approachable Viñas de Gaín. 80,000 bottles produced (down from 120,000 the previous vintage). It was bottled in April 2019.
Impressive, rich, dark-cherry and blackberry aromas with nicely cut oak influence. The palate has a sleek, smooth-honed feel with such impressive freshness and depth. Stunning, vibrant finish. 100% tempranillo from several plots around Laguardia. Drink or hold.
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.