Artadi "Pagos Viejos" Rioja 2005

Deep purple.

Clay/earth/nut paste/blackberry custard/oak spice nose. Deeper, but less precise than the 2004.

Huge in the mouth, coating everything with blackberry and spice flavors, with a sneaky citrus note appearing late. This could be mistaken very easily for Ribera del Duero or even Toro. Not complex, but loaded to the hilt. Almost certainly a result of a hotter vintage.

Day 3 - Brighter on the nose - mint and an incense note along with the rest of the gang from day 1. Deep black fruit in the mouth immediately crimped by slightly aggressive tannin. This definitely needs time.

Full-bore, but clearly less refined than the 2004.

$75