Vina El Pison, Artadi, 1999, 75cl

Artadi keep alive the viticultural traditions of their grandparents, fighting against the destructive advances that chemistry has introduced into industrialised and disrespectful agricultural management, they aim to preserve the production and the enjoyment of a "living" wine, with feelings and spirituality, integrating nature and the vineyard in to their own lives. Their wines certainly reflect this bloody-minded approach - truly inspiring wines that really do have an unworldly quality to them.

El Pison is a 100% Tempranillo cuvee produced from a single vineyard planted in 1945. The soil is pure limestone, yields are a lowly 18-22 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine is aged for 18-24 months in French oak. The 1999 El Pison reveals Burgundy-like aromas, intense flavors, a surreal lightness, and considerable finesse. It should drink well for a decade.

Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 28/02/2003