Artelan Rioja Crianza 2019
About the wine
One of the best Riojas we've ever tasted... from a man on a mission to save Rioja Alavesa's unique, high-quality vineyards
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Tao Platon is a man on a mission to save many of Rioja Alavesa’s unique vineyards from being sold off, and he’s doing it by championing the authentic, high quality wines the region is famous for. The cooler climes, older vines and limestone soils in this most northerly part of Rioja produce fresh, gastronomic, age-worthy reds of fine wine quality like this Crianza. And when we tasted it, it simply blew us away.
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The nose is so fine, showing fresh and complex berry aromas, herbal notes, hints of cedar and vanilla. A beautiful oakiness has integrated with the fruit to become its own thing. The palate is fresh, pure and satisfyingly dry, with great fruit intensity, a supple mouthfeel, chalky tannins and an elegant mineral finish. This isn’t your everyday Rioja, this is a fine wine.
- We’re really excited to have Tao on board, taking our Rioja range into world-class territory. He’s made wines all round the world, never stops learning, and he’s brought all that knowledge and experience back home to Spain where, as he says, “I want Angels to experience the beautifully elegant, fresh wines that can be made from the best old vineyards of Rioja Alavesa.” This extraordinary Rioja Crianza might be the start of something very special…
Best before
Drink now to 2031
Serving advice
Open/decant 30 mins before serving, serve at around 16ºC
Food match
This is a food-friendly wine, its good concentration and firm tannins make it a classic with grilled or roasted meat, but it also has the elegance and freshness for less obvious pairings, like fish stews, pasta dishes, tapas, and tortilla de patatas.
Contains sulphites
Always check the label
Spain
Rioja
Tempranillo
Smooth Red
14.5% ABV
75cl
Wine profile
Meet the winemaker - Tao Platon
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As a youngster, Tao Platon took a leap of faith when he swapped his degree in Chemistry for Oenology - not knowing what to expect - but science’s loss was winemaking’s gain, as Tao discovered a true passion that he could dedicate his life to.
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After finishing his studies, Tao travelled the globe to work harvests in some of the world’s most famous wine regions, including Bordeaux, New Zealand, the Spanish Douro and Burgundy, where he learnt all about different winemaking techniques and approaches. A true student of his craft, he never stopped learning and to this day, when he’s not in the vineyard, you can normally find Tao swotting up for his next big wine test.
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With a wealth of experience, meticulous attention to detail, and a special appreciation for unique and rare parcels of fruit, Tao now makes exquisite fine wines in select vineyards all over his Spanish homeland. Your support has given him the opportunity to save more small patches of overlooked grapes and turn them into first-rate nectar.
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