About this wine
La Poza de Ballesteros is a single-vineyard Tempranillo from a 3.6-hectare, west-facing plot in Elvillar de Álava, planted in 1960 on deep brown soils. The afternoon sun exposure and deeper soils give the grapes extra ripeness compared to Artadi's other sites, producing a powerful, dense wine with ripe dark fruit, spice and an earthy, fresh minerality. Grapes are organically farmed, fermented in open-top vats with daily pigeage and pump-overs for 10-12 days, then aged around 9 months in French oak.
A powerful, sun-ripened expression of Rioja Alavesa Tempranillo — bold enough to impress, structured enough to reward attention.
Sommelier's Note
"The sun-drenched counterpoint to Artadi's cooler-site wines — density and ripeness that never tip into heaviness."
Food Pairings
Lamb leg, grilled Ibérico pork, and mature Manchego cheese are classic matches; suckling pig also works beautifully.
When to drink it
Hearty winter dinners, grilled meat feasts, gatherings that call for a bold, structured red.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Tempranillo
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Price Range
- $100-140
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Tempranillo from a single 3.6-hectare, west-facing plot in Elvillar de Álava, planted in 1960 on deep brown soils, organically farmed. Fermented in open-top vats with native yeasts for 10-12 days with daily pigeage and pump-overs, aged approximately 9 months in French oak barrels.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do the grapes for La Poza de Ballesteros come from?
- A single 3.6-hectare, west-facing vineyard in Elvillar de Álava (Rioja Alavesa), planted in 1960 on deep brown soils.
- What does La Poza de Ballesteros taste like?
- It is powerful and ripe, with dark fruit such as black cherry and blackberry, subtle spice, earthy minerality, and dense, fine-grained tannins.
- What food pairs well with La Poza de Ballesteros?
- Lamb leg, grilled Ibérico pork, suckling pig and mature Manchego cheese are classic pairings for its power and structure.
- How does La Poza de Ballesteros differ from Artadi's other single-vineyard wines?
- Its west-facing exposure and deeper soils give it extra ripeness and density compared to sites like El Carretil, making it one of the riper, more powerful expressions in Artadi's single-vineyard range.
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