I had to stop by Chateau Vino Me to pick up one of my 2000 Bordeaux futures, so I decided to brown bag a wine and test his knowledge. Thus this was served blind to mr. & mrs. vino me.

The color is dark ruby with some slight browning on the edges. The radiating black cherry nose, with its underlying aromas of cinnamon, lead pencil, leather, wet stones, and asian spice, is intoxicating and reminiscent of a Paulliac. Over time, the wine warms up (it was slightly too cold) to reveal ripe berries, bittersweet chocolate, toast, cedar, leather, creamy vanilla, and black pepper. This is a well-built wine from one of the top 3 producers in Rioja. A QPR steal at $14.99! 92

Thanks for bringing this over RD. There was good news and bad news as far as the brown bag guessing goes. After smelling and tasting the wine I excluded the possibility that it was new world. After further tasting I also found the wine to be too ripe to be from a cold climate. I also didn't think it was a Rhone because it would have been atypical for the region although I did leave the door open for that possibility. I also did not think it was from Northern Italy or Sangiovese. That left Spain and Southern Italy. I guessed wrong and said Southern Italy.

I did not take notes on this wine but liked it very much. Although not as much as RD and my wife. I prefer the more powerful Ribera style to the more elegant Rioja style when it comes to Temperanillo. I gave it 90 points and a very good deal for under $20.

VM

Elegant is a very appropriate word for this wine. I enjoy both Riberas and Riojas, but probably Riojas more for their charm. The only drawback I find with Artadi is that it's difficult to pair with the type of foods I eat. The best match I've found is with cooked stuffed mushrooms caps.

But, boy-o-boy do I love this wine!