Artesa Organic Rioja 2025

This is bright, modern organic Rioja where the emphasis is firmly on fruit: juicy Tempranillo with berry fruit at its core, lifted by red plum, a touch of spice and a savoury, herbal edge. The oak is there as seasoning — six months in barrel giving a subtle smoky accent and a bit of extra sheen to the palate. It all adds up to a wine with flavour and polish enough to suggest it might cost a bit more than it actually does.

A handy all-rounder: fresh enough for simple mid-week suppers, but with enough flavour to stand up to roast lamb, slow-cooked pork or a tray of roast peppers and chorizo.

Artesa is a label from one of Rioja's major bodegas, Ontañón who continue to fly under the radar in the UK, where the market is dominated by better-known names and brands. They're based out in the east of the region near the village of Quel, a fair distance from Haro, where many of the famous bodegas cluster — which might have something to do with it.
The Pérez Cuevas family's connection to the land goes back over 80 years, with winemaking roots in Quel stretching back considerably further. Today they're one of the largest family vineyard owners in Spain, with over 800 hectares planted — a substantial operation by any measure.
Nevertheless, quality-wise they're right up there with the best, and their lack of profile can prove to be a benefit — to the customer at least — because it means their wines are often very good value compared to the big names, who have substantial marketing budgets to pay for.