Artuke La Condenada 2024 | Rioja

Wine Identification
The Artuke La Condenada is a red wine from the Rioja appellation in Spain, produced by the Artuke winery. This specific vintage is dated 2024. The vineyards are located in Baños de Ebro, situated between 520 and 630 meters above sea level.

Origin and Winemaking
The estate manages 0.8 hectares of vines trained in the traditional gobelet (bush) system, with a north-south orientation. The grape composition is predominantly Tempranillo at 80%, complemented by Graciano, Garnacha, and Palomino Fino for the remaining 20%.

Harvesting is conducted manually using 20 kg boxes to ensure gentle handling of the fruit. Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes undergo manual destemming with berry-by-berry selection. The must is transferred via gravity into a 2,000 kg micro-tank. During fermentation, daily bazuqueos (punch-downs) and foot-treading are performed to manage extraction. Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously in French oak foudres of 600 liters. The wine then ages for approximately 16 months in these same 600-liter French oak barrels.

Tasting Profile
The winemaking approach suggests a focus on texture and integration. The use of gravity transfer and large-format oak foudres typically aims to preserve primary fruit characteristics while providing subtle oxidative complexity. The extended aging period of 16 months in French oak indicates a structure designed for evolution, likely offering soft tannins and balanced acidity typical of high-altitude Rioja wines.

Critical Reception
The Wine Advocate (Parker) awarded this wine a score of 98.

Overall Character
Artuke La Condenada represents a meticulous approach to Rioja winemaking. By combining gobelet training with gentle processing and large-format oak aging, the winery emphasizes terroir expression and structural elegance over aggressive oak influence. The high critical score underscores its potential as a significant example of modern, artisanal production in La Rioja.