La Condenada, Rioja, 2018

A “Grand Cru”, La Condenada is a centenarian parcel of just 0.75 hectares planted on sandy red iron soils. Formerly abandoned, Artuke bought the plot in 2009 and released their first vintage 2013 after an enormous amount of work had gone in to restoring it back to health. A natural field blend made up of Tempranillo, Graciano, Palomino and Garnacha, the 2018 is every inch the Grand Cru. Expansive layers of silky dark and red fruit cloak the palate with a refined balsamic sweetness, velvety tannins and savoury complexities, through to an everlasting finish. Just 1,000 bottles of this magical wine were produced.