Artadi Rioja El Carretil 2018

97+ points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): “[$230 list] The bottled 2018 El Carretil was phenomenal. It comes from a plot of 3.64 hectares planted at three different times—1930, 1975 and 1988—on limestone, sandstone and silt soils with up to 18% active limestone. Its Tempranillo grapes aged in barrel and then were racked back to stainless steel, where it was left to mature until it was bottled. It’s mineral and balsamic, expressive, open and fresh, with beautiful elegance. It’s classical with even a Bordeaux twist. It shows pretty much like the sample I tasted 12 months ago, expressive and open, aromatic and perfumed, with great freshness and balance, vibrant and energetic, juicy with fine-grained tannins and with terrific balance and purity. 5,000 bottles were filled in June 2020. (Jan 2021)”

97 points/’Podium Award,’ Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: “(100% tempranillo). Balanced, spicy, fruit. Colour: cherry, purple rim. Nose: red berry notes, ripe fruit, neat, complex, mineral. Palate: flavourful, blanced, fine bitter notes, round, fruity aftertaste. (2021)”

96 points James Suckling: “Plenty of earth, spice, meat and dark-berry aromas follow through to a medium-to full-bodied palate with dusty tannins and blue fruit. It’s flavorful and balanced. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold. (10/14/21)”