1998 Pagos Viejos
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Tasting notes
The recently bottled, superb 1998 Pagos Viejos is one of the greatest Riojas I have ever tasted. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sweet nose of violets, black fruits, minerals, toasty new oak, and smoke. The wine is full-bodied, with gorgeous purity, amazing symmetry for its exceptional size, and an incredibly well-delineated finish. In short, it is great stuff! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025. ERIC SOLOMON, EUROPEAN CELLARS, 236 West 27 St., Room 801, New York, NY 10001; tel. (212) 924-4949; fax (212) 924-0567
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The recently bottled, superb 1998 Pagos Viejos is one of the greatest Riojas I have ever tasted. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sweet nose of violets, black fruits, minerals, toasty new oak, and smoke. The wine is full-bodied, with gorgeous purity, amazing symmetry for its exceptional size, and an incredibly well-delineated finish. In short, it is great stuff! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025. Aug 2000, www.robertparker.com
This is solid and very fresh with beautiful fruit and depth. Full body, chewy tannins, flavorful and wonderful length. Pure tempranillo. Drink now. Jul 2015, www.jamessuckling.com
Medium ruby. Complex, vibrant, very expressive aromas of cherry, bitter chocolate, eucalyptus, mocha, clove oil and sexy oak. Lively and penetrating, with terrific clarity of flavor and verve. Finishes very long, with firm, fine tannins. Nov 2001, www.vinous.com
About the producer

Owner and winemaker Juan Carlos López de Lacalle is among an elite group of global vintners whose expertise creates wines that stand above others in their regions. Artadi produces refined Rioja in unoaked and oaked styles, including superb Reservas and single-vineyard wines such as Viña El Pisón.