Artillero
D.O. Rioja
2019
What’s in a name
The former owner of this vineyard used to be a gunner in the civil war. Artillero (Spanish for gunner) became his nickname. Grateful for the great care he took of the vineyard, now 100 years old, Oxer decided to name both the plot and the wine after him. Also does Artillero happen to be a Kamasutra position. Hence the label.
Varieties
90% Tempranillo & 10% Viura
Vineyards
A 101-year (1919) old vineyard of 1 ha located in Elvillar (Rioja Alavesa) at 600 metres altitude with calcareous clay composition. A mixed plot of Tempranillo, Viura and Garnacha Blanca that only yields 3000 kg per hectare.
Winemaking
FThe fermentation of the hand-picked grapes is carried out in open vat and barrels using indigenous yeast. The malolactic fermentation takes place in used French oak barrels of 500 litre. After racking the wine remains another 12 months in oak for ageing.
PRODUCTION
1,2k Botels
Produces/ Year
Character
Forest fruit (wild strawberry, bramble, cherry) together with the well integrated oak give Artillero its softness. This is balanced by a pleasantly fresh acidity and grippy but fine-grained tannin structure. Flavours of black fruit, roasted plum, sweet spices, violets, thyme and a touch of leather. An intense lively wine.