Artadi Rioja El Carretil 2017

96 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): “The bottled 2017 El Carretil has 14.65% alcohol, which reflects its ripeness, but it’s clearly the second wine in the quality hierarchy, second to El Pisón. These two wines have a perfume and seem to transcend the vintage with the finesse and length provided by the limestone-rich soils, which also give it a chalky texture in the palate. This is a great wine, with a fragrant nose of violets, blood oranges and red cherries that give it superb freshness. 4,025 bottles were filled in June 2019. Drink: 2019-2025. (Dec 2019)”

96 points James Suckling: “Blackberries and ripe fruit with hints of chocolate and walnuts. Medium to full body with very fine, focused tannins and a fresh, vibrant finish. All about finesse and beauty. Drinkable now, but give it time to open. Better after 2022. (11/2/20)”