Rioja Alavesa DOCa, Rioja, Spain
One of the most exciting wineries currently producing in the Rioja and one of Tim Atkin’s 2020 Classified “First Growth” producers. Two brothers, Arturo and Kike, who took over a parcel of vines that had been in their family for generations and completely modernized their vision of Rioja wines. The Pies Negros is a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano aged in French oak for 12 months. The grapes are still tread by foot, hence the name which translates to “black feet”.
Fresh and fragrant, this blend has plenty of ripe red fruit, with notes of flowers and aromatic herbs underpinned by some mineral remembrances and lactic touches. Linear and fresh, this young red wine has very good acidity, crunchy tannins and a medium finish with notes of wild strawberries, blackberry yoghurt and some mineral undertones.