Positioned on the rolling valley floor that lies at the base of the Sierra Cantabria mountain range, the small 3.5-hectare El Carretil vineyard was planted in 1975 and it is located at an altitude of 515 meters above sea-level. A deep-rooted, southeast-facing vineyard, its soil is comprised of nutrient-poor calcareous clay with a high concentration of active limestone, creating a deep, complex wine with a marked strength and minerality.
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2021
Country:
Spain
Region:
La Rioja
Appellation:
Vino de Espana
Variety:
Tempranillo
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-ART-21-21 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
99
Date
2023-11-15
"Intense aromas of white pepper, blueberries, graphite, metal shavings, violets, and black truffle follow through to a medium body with chewy and fine tannins and a very structured finish. Oyster shell as well. Subtle black pepper, too. Needs four or five years to soften and open. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2027."
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2024-04-18
"The 2021 El Carretil is 100% Tempranillo from Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa, planted on sandy-silt soils with 20% lime content. Exhibiting a purple hue, the nose offers herbal aromas of pea and pennyroyal, layered with notes of blueberry and bay leaf. On the palate, it is dry, chalky and rich, with a talcum powder texture that leads to a compact, austere flow. Vibrant and energetic, this wine embodies the taut and modern characteristics of Rioja, showcasing the streamlined nuances of Laguardia."
Wine Advocate
Score
98
Date
2024-03-02
"The nose of the 2021 El Carretil is an explosion of flowers; it's aromatic, perfumed, open, expressive and super elegant, clean, nuanced and showy. It has a seamless palate with very fine tannins, ethereal, with lots of energy and light. This has to be the finest vintage of El Carretil to date. Today, this hits the bull's-eye. Bravo! 5,300 bottles were filled in May 2023."