Javier Arizcuren: ‘El Mastro’

Hi Gang, another gloriously wet day in Wales hey, gives me time to tell you a little bit about Javier ‘El Maestro’ Arizcuren.

He is in that gang of wonderful growers that are redefining Rioja, we love him & his wines!  

El Maestro’ - ‘'The Teacher’ is what I call him, much to his embarrassment, but every time I taste the wines I learn a lot! just being in his presence is inspiring, he has a mystique about him, cool, calm & collected and detailed, just like his wines.

Javier Arizcuren's vineyards are located around the village of Quel in the Sierra de Yarga.

The vineyards are old, pocketed in small parcels located between 400m and 600m above sea level. The next part is the most intriguing approach to his work vs work balance. In order to keep an eye on both worlds Javier has constructed an urban winery next door to his practice is Logrono itself. All fruit is brought down to the city to get sorted, fermented an aged in a variety of vessels from concrete vats, French oak foudre and demi-muid, ceramic "barriques" and clay amphore. It is both fascinating and and effective. His wines are structured and bold but seamless. Evocative, detailed, scientific and passionate - as one would expect from a successful architect and soil hunter.

I was ever to design a winery/cellar, Javier would be the man I’d call, although I doubt I could afford him..

Monte Gatun

the 2023 vintage has landed

This is Javier’s calling card, a wine from the vineyards around Quel, a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha & Mazuelo. The 2023 has a beautiful energy to it, it’s fresh and supple with pure red fruits, the tannins and seamless & the overall result is a beautiful expression of this part of Rioja.

£30 per bottle

I was so impressed by this that whilst drinking it I booked flights to go visit Rioja again next month, where I will no doubt share a glass of this, maybe even sneak a peak at the 2024 from barrel with Javier..

Pop a bottle on your shopping list!

Best

Lloyd