The remarkable wines of Arizcuren, Rioja, Spain
Website: https://www.arizcurenvinos.com/en/
Javier Arizcuren (pictured above) is producing some of Rioja’s most interesting wines, from vineyards owned by his family. But wine is a second career: he’s a celebrated architect, and it was only after doing a course in enology and viticulture in 2009 that he first began making wine – initially, a little at home, and then taking over the family vineyards in 2011.
For Arizcuren, he has cherry picked the best old plots of the family’s holdings in the Serra de Yerga, which he farms organically. The wines are made in an urban winery in Logroño.
THE WINES
Arizcuren Monte Gatún Blanco 2022 Rioja, Spain
This is from an old (45 years) Viura vineyard at 600 m on a north-facing slope. It’s aromatic and fine with a lovely pear and almond nose. Textured and bold with nice ripe fruit and a lovely almond and honey edge. 94/100
Arizcuren Monte Gatún Tinto 2021 Rioja, Spain
A blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. So fresh, supple and fine with lovely pure red fruits and some floral character. Fresh, supple and fine grained, this is quite beautiful with expressive fruit. 94/100
Arizcuren Solo Mazuelo 2021 Rioja, Spain
Fine and fresh with notes of redcurrant and fine spices. This is really supple with lovely cherry fruit and redcurrant brightness on the palate, demonstrating elegance and finesse with a fine spicy character under the fruit. 94/100
Arizcuren Solo Mazuelo Anfora 2022 Rioja, Spain
This is from two plots at 550 and 611 m, north-facing, with sandy soils. Supple, fresh, fine and distinctive with pure red cherry fruit and some redcurrant. Expressive with notes of iodine, blood and intense cherry in the mix. 95/100
Arizcuren Finco el Foro 2021 Rioja, Spain
This is field blend from a 7 hectare plot at the heady altitude of 802 m, including Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Viura, Garnacha Gris and others. Fine red cherry fruits with some raspberry and red currant. Fine, supple, elegant and expressive with lovely fruit and also great balance. Fine-grained chalky texture. 95/100
Arizcuren Barranco del Prado 2021 Rioja, Spain
An ungrafted 100 year old plot, 97% Garnacha and 3% others. Linear and bright with lovely precision, and good structure with chalky gravelly notes in the mix. So fine, direct, mineral and refined. This is really pure and elegant. 96/100
UK agent: Carte Blanche
