Artadi Rioja Viñas de Gain 2007

Artadi's 2007 Vinas de Gain is 100% Tempranillo sourced from 40- to 60-year-old vines and aged in 40% new French oak for 12-14 months. A saturated purple color, it delivers an expressive bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, mineral, blueberry, and bla... Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. A Tempranillo wine from Rioja in Spain. 2007 Artadi Rioja Vinas de Gain 750ml

Thick and rich. Resembles a ripe California red more than a traditional Rioja in color, body and tannin. Smoky, gamy flavors are a bit clumsy, but a plummy core keeps it in balance. Try in 2000.

Medium garnet hue. An ethereal nose offers mouth-watering aromas of dried blackberry, mace, clove, and vanilla incense. The palate showcases Bordelaise elegance with dried cherry, black licorice and a hint of tar, followed by a back note of oolong te... Neil Mechanic. A Tempranillo wine from Rioja in Spain. 2007 Artadi Rioja Vinas de Gain 750ml

Bright, fresh ruby-red. Very primary aromas of crushed berries and rose petal. Lively and fruit-driven, with flavors of crushed red currant and spices. Offers a supple texture and enticing sweetness. Finishes with firm edged, mounting tannins and a suggestion of baking spices.

No one produced more complex, concentrated, age worthy Riojas than Artadi. Readers who are unable to locate and afford their two expensive cuvees should check out the 1,500 cases that made it to the United States of the sensational 1998 Vinas de Gain. A selection from three hillside parcels where the wine average 40 years, and are bottled after 18 months in French oak (no filtration), it is an elegant, stylish effort with terrific fruit, a sweet, complex nose of black cherries, minerals, lead pencil, spice box, and vanilla. Made from 100% Tempranillo, it possesses an impressive texture, medium to full body, and beautiful balance as well as purity. It is a wine to drink now and over the next 10ndash;12 years.

Bright ruby-red. Complex, musky aromas of creme de mure, currant, licorice and pepper. Sweet, supple and densely packed, with fruit-driven flavors of black raspberry and licorice. Finishes with substantial but thoroughly ripe tannins. A very strong vintage for Artadirsquo;s entry-level Rioja.

Ruby-red. Bright, perfumed nose offers sexy raspberry, strawberry and cherry liqueur aromas accented by subtle notes of fresh rose and exotic spices. Lively and brisk, with tangy acidity providing focus and cut to the pure fruit flavors. Really delicious wine, with expansive, sweet raspberry and cherry flavors on the zesty, long finish. This can be enjoyed already, but Irsquo;d hold it for at least three years.