2023 Artuke Pies Negros Rioja 750ml

The dark and serious 2023 Pies Negros is a village red from Ábalos produced with Tempranillo and 15% Graciano, which seems to have given it a serious twist with deep dark fruit aromas and very good freshness. The destemmed but uncrushed grapes fermented with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in 500-liter barrels for one year, save for 10% of the volume that was kept in concrete. It has contained ripeness and good freshness and balance, and it's juicy and tasty, with fine tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. Serious is the word. 65,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2024. 93 Pts Wine Advocate Luis Gutiérrez.

Black Pies in English, but black feet (from foot-stomping red grapes) is the real translation.
For anyone who cares what I think, I’m buying some of this because it has character, quality and some Rioja fruitcake hints, melded with Burgundy red berries and spice; AND it’s a new trendy great Spanish wine that’s CLEAN and vibrant! Randall.