Monte Gatún Rioja 2022

2017 Arizcuren • Monte Gatún • Tim Atkin 92/100
“Monte Gatún is a new wine from Javier Arizcuren’s increasingly exciting project in the Rioja Oriental. Using fruit from his home village of Quel, this partners Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo in a seamless whole, with 10% whole bunches adding some texture and spice to the floral, grippy bramble and black cherry fruit. The 50% new wood is deftly integrated. 2022-27”

The past, present and future of the Rioja Oriental. Past, represented by the traditional garnacha and mazuelo varieties, present, for the now predominant tempranillo and future, a future built around the combination of all of these grapes, following that typical Rioja tradition of blending varieties to make great wines.

Variety

75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha & 10% Mazuelo

Vineyard

Various plots in the Villa de Quel at between 530 and 600 metres altitude and north-facing orientation

Viticulture

Organic in the process of certification

Harvest

Picked manually in 11 kg. crates. Selection of clusters. Average yield 6,000 kg/ha

Winemaking

In open stainless steel tanks. Cold maceration for 2-4 days and fermentation for 12-15 days with daily treading and hardly any pumping over.

Ageing

12 months in French-oak casks and concrete vat

Bottling

4.522 0.75-ltr bottles. October 2020

Analysis

Alc/vol:13.0 Total acidity: 5.21 pH: 3.64

Tasting Note

A lovely wine with aromas of herbs, cereals and wild berries on the nose. A smooth, textured mouth feel, with fine tannins which make it easy to drink and a ripe garnacha finish.

Best Consumed

Now or within the next 5 years

Awards

90 Parker Points, 92/100 Tim Atkin Points