Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oakoak aged

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2018: best 2024 to 2038.
vintage6 yrs20 yrs22 yrs

Critic scores

CriticVintageScore
Tim Atkin reviewed 2021201894/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: black cherry, plum, violet, graphite, spice

Palate: dark fruit, firm tannin, mineral, savoury

Another of Artadi's single-vineyard old-vine Tempranillos, this plot giving a slightly darker, more structured wine with the house's mineral signature.

What it pairs with

How to serve La Poza de Ballesteros

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Venison loin, Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Aged Manchego. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

La Poza de Ballesteros is a named single-vineyard Tempranillo in Artadi's site-driven range.

  1. 2002: La Poza de Ballesteros established as a single-vineyard bottling

Facts

Producer
Artadi · visiting guide
Grapes
Tempranillo (100%)
Classification
Vino de Espana (formerly DOCa Rioja, left 2015)
Oak
Around 14 to 16 months in French oak
ABV
14.5%
Price
EUR 50 to 85 at retail
Drinking window
6 to 20 from vintage
First vintage
2002

Frequently asked about La Poza de Ballesteros

What does La Poza de Ballesteros taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, plum, violet, graphite, spice. On the palate, dark fruit, firm tannin, mineral, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Another of Artadi's single-vineyard old-vine Tempranillos, this plot giving a slightly darker, more structured wine with the house's mineral signature.

When should I drink La Poza de Ballesteros?

Drink 6 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with La Poza de Ballesteros?

Venison loin is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey a la brasa and Aged Manchego. Dark game meets the wine's structured dark fruit.

Is La Poza de Ballesteros vegan?

No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.

What grapes are in La Poza de Ballesteros?

The blend is Tempranillo (100%). The wine is classified as Vino de Espana (formerly DOCa Rioja, left 2015).

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