Bodegas Artuke, Pies Negros Rioja Tinto 2020

92+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
As I've explained in previous vintages, this wine is produced with grapes from the Sierra Cantabria in the village of Ábalos, so the 2020 Pies Negros is another village wine, even if it won't get the official qualification, as they don't have a winery in Ábalos. It's a blend of 90% Tempranillo with 10% Graciano that fermented with destemmed but uncrushed grapes with indigenous yeasts and matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months but with 10% of the volume kept in concrete. It has strong aromatics with pungent notes of licorice and ripe fruit without excess. This is 14% alcohol and has nice balance, a soft texture and very fine and grainy tannins. 63,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2022.

Vinous Reverie Notes
"Pies Negros" means "Black Feet" refers to the fact that grapes for this Rioja are stomped by foot, which turn black from the grape juice. This is the blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. The Tempranillo brings black cherries, plums and cocoa, the small amount of Graciano contributes peppery, spicy notes.