Vinas de Gain, Bodegas Artadi 2021

The entry-level red 2021 Viñas de Gaín is the new era for this wine, as they are in the process of increasing the quality and reducing volumes. Vineyards like Villalba, San Martín, Carralaguardia, Santa Cecilia or La Laguna, which were before bottled separately and sold to collectors directly at the winery, are now contributing to this blend, which has the ambition; and they have stopped using other vineyards, the lower ones, closer to the Ebro River, where there's more ripeness, that they sell in bulk, and in the future they might sell the grapes. The wine is ripe but elegant, which is, I think, a good definition of the Artadi style. This year feels very complete; they have gained in complexity, finesse and character. Starting in 2021, they also add 2% to 4% white Viura to all the reds. 65,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2022.