Artuke, Rioja Pies Negros

This has taken much longer to come round than I expected; bottles drunk around 2020 were flat and thin. However, this is now opening up into a decent if unexciting Rioja, with still a somewhat subdued nose, but a solid core of fruit and vanilla oak and a decent finish, that held up well on Day 2. I think I'll wait a year or so to approach the remaining bottles.

Not doing it for me. Nose has some fruit, orange pith and creosote. Taste is jammy with tar and resin. The acidity is high and it of balance. Its drinkable but just barely.

Dark crimson plum color. Red staining of tears. Red fruit, forest floor, rhubarb jam, fruit cake. Med weight in mouth, med plus length. Smooth tannins, ready to drink now with 3-5 years left. Good wine with Spanish tapas.