Est 2015
Energy & Authenticity
In 1996 the Lopez de Lacalle family began producing wines in Navarra. They began with the discovery of a 100+ year old vineyard buried in the mountains in the town Artazu located in the northernmost sub-region, Valdizarbe. The ancient vineyards are located at 500-600 feet of altitude scattered throughout the base of the Pyrenees mountains.
Juan Carlos inspired and captivated by the ancient Garnacha vineyards laid in dark chalky soils that alternate between clay-limestone and clay-sand established Bodegas Artazu. In the last century, Garnacha was the most widely-planted variety in Navarra. However, after the vines being planted a few years ofter phylloxera in the 1900’s the vineyards in the hills of Artazu were all-but abandon.
Artazu is an emotion-provoking project in which the Lopez del Lacalle family produces wines that are both genuine and avant-garde. In 1996 Navarra was a region that had shifted its focus to international varieties and Tempranillo while Garnacha was reserved for rosé. Juan Carlos knew the ancient vines had the potential to produce wines that would display freshness and mineral character obtained from the unique terroir of the region.
Artazu | Santa Cruz
Vines Planted 1910-1920’s
Terroir: With grapes sourced from our 100-year-old Artazu vines in La Plana, Santa Agueda, Aloa, Gomeza, Elibidea, Korteta, Txangola, Sakanandia, Errotaldea, Arradia, Txapargain, Mendigibelea, Unea, Basakaitz and Santa Cruz, we produce wines of a distinctly Atlantic character displaying a clean, transparent, lively colour. Floral
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Vinification in stainless-steel open top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours. Fermentation has taken 10-12 days with often cap management and a brief pumping over
Aging: Malolactic fermentation in Barrel. 12 months 1/3 new French oak
2015 ARTAZU | Santa Cruz
2016 JS SHELF TALKER 93 POINT
Artazu White | Santa Cruz
Vines planted between 2000 and 2015
Terroir: Sourced from our vines at La Plana, Unea and Santa Cruz, these wines were the first to be produced in our project to recover the White Grenache variety and make a white wine suitable for ageing. This is a variety with distinct citrus fruit aromas and mineral notes, such as flint or gunflint. It is delicate and subtle with hints of spices and balanced freshness. With complexity and structure in the finish these wines promise long aging potential.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Garnacha Blanc
Skin contact fermentation. 10 days in stainless-steel open top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours. Aging: 6 months on lees and minimum 1 year bottle before release
2015 ARTAZU WHITE |Santa Cruz
2016 JS SHELF TALKER 93 POINTS
Artazu | Pasos San Martin
Surface Area 11 ha
Vines planted between 1979 and 1983
Terroir: The vineyards providing the grapes for this wines are located in Zaramendi site in one of the most historic villages for vinegrowing in Navarra: San Martín the Unx. They are planted on slopes of poor, clay-limestone soils at an altitude of 500 meters. The big influence of the Pyrenees creating big diurnal shifts allow a very slow ripping pushing harvest back to mid October.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Vinification in stainless-steel open top vats with cold maceration for 24-48 hours. Fermentation has taken 10-12 days with often cap management and a brief pumping over
Aging: Malolactic fermentation in Barrel. 12 months 1/3 new French oak
2016 ARTAZU | Pasos San Martin
2015 ARTAZU | Pasos San Martin
2015 JS SHELF TALKER 94 POINTS
Artazuri Rosé
Vines planted 1998
Terroir: The Pyrenees creates in northern Navarra area a unique climatic conditions for great rosé productions. The cold winds coming from the mountains helps vine growing to preserve the acidity and fruit freshness needed for rose production at the same time that a slow ripping to allow a great phenolic maturity. This convine with the limestone soils makes navarra and garnacha the perfect site for rose production.
Harvest: manual, with sorting of berries and bunches
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Vinification: Stainless Steel, Free Run Juice, Natural Yeast
Viticulture: Organic Farming Practices. Never the use of herbicides or pesticides.
Aging: None