Trascuevas 2024

A characterful Rioja Blanco built on precision rather than richness. Floral delicacy and chalky austerity define its profile, while the fruit stays deliberately restrained. 13.0% ABV, dry.

Artuke is based in Baños de Ebro in Rioja Alavesa, where brothers Arturo and Kike de Miguel Blanco farm 30 hectares across 72 plots. The vines grow between 550 and 720 metres of altitude on limestone, sandstone and scree; the cool nights at these altitudes give the wines their freshness. Farming is organic, with a growing orientation towards biodynamic principles, and the often terraced plots allow only manual work in any case.

Viura, Malvasia and Palomino: the latter is found mainly in the old mixed plantings the brothers rescued from decline. Grapes are hand-harvested, and fermentation proceeds spontaneously with the vineyard's own yeasts. The cellar forgoes cultured yeasts, excessive sulphuring and aggressive filtration.

Taut, juicy and clearly defined. The salty-mineral thread runs through the whole palate, accompanied by dried herbs, fresh almond and notes of salt dough and pretzel pastry. The floral nuances remain present here too, softening the wine's directness. The finish is long and stony, with fine bitter notes that add tension.

Palomino has become rare in Rioja; here the variety forms part of the foundation of a white wine that tells its origin through texture and salinity. Artuke belongs to the "Rioja & Roll" movement and the Futuro Vinador collective.