About this wine
Viña el Pisón is the crown jewel of Artadi—sourced from a singular 2.4-hectare vineyard in Laguardia planted in 1945, perched at 480 metres on deep calcareous clay soils. Widely considered one of Spain's greatest red wines, it is characterised by profound complexity, silky tannins, and a persistent mineral-driven finish. Robert Parker awarded the 2004 vintage a perfect 100 points. Artadi withdrew from the DOCa Rioja in 2015 to prioritise terroir authenticity over the region's ageing-category label system.
A world-class masterpiece with silky, refined tannins—far more elegant than many powerful reds. Decant for at least two hours to fully unlock its complex layers of dark fruit, violets, and graphite.
Sommelier's Note
"Viña el Pisón is a wine of transcendent beauty—proof that Tempranillo, in the right hands and the right soil, can rival the world's finest. Parker's perfect 100 for the 2004 vintage is no accident. Essential for any serious cellar."
Food Pairings
Pairs exceptionally with roasted lamb, game meats (venison, partridge), aged Manchego cheese, and umami-rich grilled Wagyu beef. Also excels alongside slow-cooked Castilian stews (cocido) and Ibérico pork.
When to drink it
Ideal for milestone celebrations, high-end fine dining, or as the centrepiece of a serious collector's tasting. Best opened 10 to 25 years after vintage.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Tempranillo
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 14.64
- Price Range
- ¥40,000–60,000
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Tempranillo from a single 2.4-hectare vineyard planted in 1945, Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. Altitude 480 m; deep calcareous clay soils. Hand-harvested in 15 kg crates with bunch selection in the vineyard. Cold maceration 24–48 hours in wooden open-top vats; fermentation 10–12 days with indigenous yeasts and twice-daily punchdowns and pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation and 12 months ageing in new French oak barrels (300–500 L). Released as Vino de Mesa since Artadi's withdrawal from DOCa Rioja in 2015. ABV approximately 14.5–14.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Artadi Viña el Pisón taste like?
- It offers a profound profile of dark berries, violets, graphite, and exotic spices with silky, fine-grained tannins and a long mineral finish. With age it develops leather, tobacco, and dried fruit complexity.
- When is the best time to drink it?
- Best enjoyed 10 to 25 years after the vintage date when the tannins have fully integrated and the aromatics have reached peak complexity. Younger vintages should be decanted for at least 2 hours.
- Is it still a Rioja wine?
- Artadi withdrew from the DOCa Rioja designation in 2015 to prioritise terroir expression over the region's ageing-category labelling system. The wine is now labelled Vino de Mesa but the vineyard in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa, remains the same.
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