Bodegas Artadi Tempranillo

Bodegas Artadi Tempranillo is a certified organic, 100% Tempranillo red wine from Rioja Alavesa, Spain, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 93 points by The Wine Advocate for the 2018 vintage, this bottling represents one of Spain's most respected terroir-driven producers at its most approachable.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Rioja Alavesa, Spain  |  100% Tempranillo  |  Producer: Bodegas Artadi

Production & Heritage

Bodegas Artadi was founded in 1985 in Laguardia, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. The estate famously withdrew from the Rioja Denominación de Origen in 2015, rejecting the appellation's age-based classification system (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva) in favor of a Burgundian philosophy centered on single-vineyard identity and site-specific expression. Grapes for this Tempranillo are certified organic, hand-harvested, and vinified in open-top stainless steel vats before spending 12 months aging in French oak barrels. The result is a wine that prioritizes fruit purity and terroir transparency over heavy oak extraction — a hallmark of Artadi's modern approach.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with expressive, clean red fruits — cherry and raspberry — layered with spice and a mineral undertone. As the wine breathes, subtle hints of vanilla and couverture chocolate emerge from the French oak aging.

Taste: The palate entry is svelte and open, with ripe red fruits taking center stage. At mid-palate, fine-grained tannins build structure without heaviness, while notes of black fruit and liquorice add complexity. The overall impression is one of exquisite fluidity — a wine that moves across the palate with precision rather than force.

Finish: The finish is long and persistent, with lingering red fruit and a gentle spice that recalls the wine's mineral aromatics. Tannins remain polished through the very end, leaving a clean, dry close.

How to Drink Artadi Tempranillo

Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). This Tempranillo rewards 20–30 minutes in a decanter or a wide-bowled glass that allows its aromatics to open fully; it drinks beautifully on its own without needing food as a crutch. For cocktail-adjacent uses: try it in a classic Kalimotxo (the Basque Country's red wine and cola combination) for a culturally authentic pairing with Artadi's Alavesa roots; in a Spanish Sangria, where its bright red fruit and spice provide a superior base compared to generic table wine; or in a Tinto de Verano, where the clean fruit profile and moderate alcohol make it a natural fit for the traditional Spanish summer serve.

Best For

• Introducing a serious wine drinker to Artadi's terroir-focused portfolio
• Pairing with a traditional Spanish lamb or charcuterie dinner
• Gifting someone who appreciates organic, estate-grown wines
• Building a cellar collection of benchmark Tempranillo producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Artadi Tempranillo taste like? Artadi Tempranillo leads with clean, ripe red fruits — cherry and raspberry — supported by fine-grained tannins, subtle vanilla from French oak, and a long finish carrying liquorice and mineral notes. The overall character is elegant and fruit-forward rather than heavily oaked.

How does Artadi Tempranillo compare to Remelluri? Both Artadi and Remelluri are flagship producers in Rioja Alavesa with a shared emphasis on terroir and site-specific winemaking. Artadi tends toward a more modern, fruit-pure style with restrained oak, while Remelluri leans into a more classical structure with longer oak aging in its Reserva and Gran Reserva expressions.

Is Artadi Tempranillo good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balance of bright fruit, fine tannins, and moderate 13% ABV makes it an excellent standalone glass. A short decant helps open the aromatics, but it is approachable from the moment it is poured.

Where is Artadi Tempranillo made? Artadi Tempranillo is produced by Bodegas Artadi in Laguardia, within the Rioja Alavesa sub-region of northern Spain. Since leaving the Rioja DO in 2015, the estate labels its wines under the Álava geographic designation.

What foods pair well with Artadi Tempranillo? Roast lamb shoulder, where the wine's tannins complement the rich fat; Ibérico ham and aged Manchego, mirroring the wine's Spanish origin; grilled chorizo, whose smoky paprika spice echoes the wine's own spice notes; and slow-braised beef cheeks, where the fruit and acidity cut through the dish's richness.

What sizes does Artadi Tempranillo come in? Artadi Tempranillo is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Artadi Tempranillo worth the price? Artadi Tempranillo positions as a premium entry point into one of Spain's most critically acclaimed estates. With 93 points from The Wine Advocate, certified organic production, and hand-harvested fruit, it delivers significant quality relative to its price tier within the broader Spanish Tempranillo category.

Why Artadi Tempranillo?

Artadi's decision to leave the Rioja DO — one of Spain's most commercially powerful appellations — is the clearest signal of this producer's commitment to terroir over tradition. That philosophical backbone runs through every bottle. The certified organic viticulture, open-top vat fermentation, and measured French oak aging produce a Tempranillo that tastes distinctly of its Alavesa origins rather than of winemaking technique. Recognized consistently by The Wine Advocate with scores in the low-to-mid 90s, this bottling stands as one of the most reliable entry points into serious Spanish red wine.