The 2019 Barranco del Prado, one of two single-vineyard bottlings, has a gorgeous nose that's an explosion of wild flowers, acid berries and wild herbs. It comes from an ungrafted plot at 800 meters in altitude that was planted 120 years ago mostly with Garnacha and perhaps 2% white Calagraño and 1% Tinta Velasco. The wine feels fresh and very harmonious and has 15% alcohol and integrated acidity that makes it long and focused, with a lifted, high-pitched finish that is most impressive. It matured in well-seasoned, neutral French oak barrels for 18 moths. Truly delicious. Only 966 bottles were filled in March 2021.
Javier Arizcuren provient d'une famille de viticulteurs de Quel, de longue tradition en Rioja Oriental. Architecte de profession, c'est à ses projets que l'on doit les caves Marqués de Terán, Finca Los Arandinos et, plus récemment, la réhabilitation des "calados" historiques (caves à raisin voûtées – XVIe s.) et de l'ensemble des édifices des caves Conde de los Andes en Ollauri, du XIXe siècle.
Après des études de viticulture et d'œnologie à l'université de La Rioja et des...
