2023 Artuke ‘Paso las Manas’ Tempranillo 750ml

The 2023 Paso Las Mañas, reminiscent of the 2021 more than the 2022, now carries the name of the lieu-dit, El Chorro, in the village of Samaniego where the vineyard is at 700 meters above sea level below the Sierra Cantabria. The 3.9-hectare plot was planted in 1990 and 2013 on limestone and rocky soils. The tempranillo grapes fermented with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in 3,500-liter oak foudre for 12 months. It has a subtle and complex nose redolent of raspberries and dark cherries, with spices and herbs. It has a moderate 13.6% alcohol, a pH of 3.38, very good balance and elegant and fine tannins. All of these 2023s have a serious and somewhat austere profile and are balanced and elegant. 8,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2024. 95 Pts Wine Advocate Luis Gutiérrez.

This is the coolest site and a beautiful 100% tempranillo, lovely perfectly ripe generous but fine and a little tight at the moment. It will certainly benefit from some years in the bottle, but right now it looks classy and complex with plenty of concentrated fruit.