San Lazaro, Bodegas Artadi 2021

I have high hopes for the still young and unbottled 2021 San Lázaro, produced with the Tempranillo grapes from 1.62 hectares planted in 1956 on limestone rich soils with sand. It fermented in oak vats after a short cold soak and will be matured in barrel for some nine months. They used only 500-liter oak barrels for the élevage and also used a little more white grapes, so the wine has less impact from oak, more freshness and a little more acidity despite the warm year. This is a little more powerful in 2021; it is structured, has depth and tannins and good ripeness but no excess. It feels quite pure and with clout.