Artadi Viña El Pisón 2015

Artadi Viña El Pisón 2015 is widely regarded as one of Spain's most extraordinary wines, named Best Red Wine of the Year by the Vivir el Vino 2018 guide. It's the ultimate expression of a unique 2.4-hectare plot planted in 1945 in Laguardia (Álava), farmed organically.

In the heart of Rioja Alavesa, in the lands of the beautiful medieval town of Laguardia, lies Artadi, one of Spain's most acclaimed wineries today. Artadi's wines are now among the best in Spain, and much of this success is the result of the work of visionary producer Juan Carlos López de Lacalle.

The Wine Advocate
RP 98+

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

I was really keen to see what an élevage of just nine months had done to the 2015 Viña El Pisón, Artadi's top wine from its emblematic vineyard planted in 1945. 2015 is a year that combines power with elegance in balance, with the freshness of slow ripening at the end of the growing cycle. The nose is simply phenomenal, open and complex, with an abundance of flowers, red fruit, wild herbs and subtle spice. On the palate it shows extraordinary balance, refined tannins and focused, precise flavours, with an elegant, well-defined texture, showing verticality and volume.

6,000 bottles were produced.

James Suckling gave Artadi Viña El Pisón 2015 99 points, describing it as a wine of impressive elegance and strength.

Here are the key points of his tasting note:

Nose: He highlights deep black-fruit aromas (blackberries and blueberries) mixed with intense notes of fresh earth, slate and a very focused mineral touch.

Palate: He describes the wine as having "incredible agility". It's full-bodied but keeps vibrant freshness. The tannins stand out for their precision and polish.

Structure: There's perfect balance between the power of the fruit and the firm structure, resulting in an extremely long, persistent finish.

Verdict: Suckling considered it a "phenomenal" wine, stressing that although it was already fantastic when tasted, it had superb ageing potential.