Planted in 1945 by the grandfather of winemaker and owner Juan Carlos López de Lacalle, the legendary 2.4-hectare Viña El Pisón is nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria mountain range, not far from the medieval village of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa. From its first vintage in 1991, this vineyard has produced some of the highest-regarded wines in the world. Located at one of the uppermost elevations in Spain, with lengthy sun exposure and protected by natural rock walls, Viña El Pisón is a true clos that lies in nutrient-poor soils made up of calcareous clay mixed with small pebbles.
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
Spain
Region:
La Rioja
Appellation:
Vino de Espana
Variety:
Tempranillo
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-ART-30-22 | 6/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
99
Date
2024-11-11
"#30 Top 100 Wines of Spain 2024: Vina El Pison has been delivering persistent greatness over the past eight years, and the magic of this vintage rests with its complexity, which is all about purity of immaculate fruit. The wine is minerally and complete, with impeccable powdery tannins that seamlessly coat the palate. It is bright, vibrant, floral and almost fruity, but still a bit timid on the nose. The palate shows what it is capable of, with melted, dissolved tannins and a long, minerally finish without much adornment. From organically grown grapes. Tasted twice, including a blind tasting against El Carretil, San Lazaro and La Poza de Ballesteros. It still stood out. Drink or hold."
Tim Atkin, MW
Score
98
Date
2025-02-27
""Austere and timid" is how Carlos L¢pez de Lacalle describes his bodega's most famous - and expensive - wine, but I think he's being unnecessarily modest. Sourced from a 2.4-hectare vineyard of the same name planted in 1945, this is both concentrated and energetic, with classic chalky intensity, tangy acidity, wrought tannins and plum, bramble and red cherry fruit. Very classy. 2030-2045"
Wine Advocate
Score
98
Date
2025-02-27
"The bottle of the 2022 Vi¤a El Pis¢n I tasted also delivers even more than the unbottled sample I tasted last year. It's elegant, perfumed and floral, like a more powerful version of San L zaro. It has a medium to full-bodied palate with very fine and chalky tannins, the elegance of Laguardia and the finesse of this specific plot. 2022 was the first year that they increased yields, and the wine is quite expressive, open and balanced. It has 14.64% alcohol, a pH of 3.62 and 4.78 grams of acidity. There are 6,000 bottles of this. It was bottled in June 2024."
Vinous
Score
97
Date
2025-05-22
"The 2022 El Pison is a benchmark for site-expressive Rioja, even though Artadi no longer belongs to the appellation. This edition displays heightened aromatic clarity and an energetic palate. Purple in hue, the nose offers cherry and plum with undergrowth, wax and refined fruity tones. Light in body yet energetic, the flow is ethereal and driven by fine, active tannins. The lingering flavors continue to feel weightless. Even in a warm year, the site retains its identity, delivering balance through clarity of fruit and a nimble structure. This will evolve beautifully in bottle. The 2022 is a clear reminder of the need to recognize individual villages and vineyards."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2021
James Suckling
Score
100
Date
2023-11-15
"Reductive at first before deep aromas emerge of mineral, fine herbs, white pepper, oyster shells, hibiscus, freshly chopped blueberries and forest berries. Really dissolved and transparent on the palate with great tension and immaculate tannins. Persistent, mineral-driven finish. Already approachable now but this has impeccable balance, allowing it to age effortlessly. Better give it two years to get rid of the reduction."
2021
Wine Advocate
Score
98+
Date
2024-02-29
"The 2021 Vi¤a El Pis¢n started a little reduced and needed a little bit of time in the glass to open up. It's sharper than previous vintages of this wine, with a superb mouthfeel and very elegant tannins. The chalky sensation in the palate is quite marked. The wine has amazing balance and the components to develop for a long time in bottle. It didn't stop growing in the glass, and that is a sign of a wine that is going to grow in bottle. I'd give it some more time before pulling the cork. 5,500 bottles were filled in June 2023."
2021
Vinous
Score
97
Date
2024-04-18
"El Pisón is one of the most renowned modern wines in Rioja, originating from a small Tempranillo plot in Laguardia. It encapsulates Artadi's essence in a single wine. The 2021 El Pisón exhibits a garnet color with a purple sheen. It features expressive, reductive aromas of crushed plums and bay leaf, complemented by hints of violet, herbs and nuanced oak. On the palate, it is dry, fairly lean and loose, delivering a plush, infusion-like texture that lingers with an ethereal and pure finish. Tasting the 2021 reveals why it is among the most celebrated parcels in the region. Truly a fabulous wine."
2020
James Suckling
Score
99
Date
2023-09-13
"Wonderful aromas of peaches, blackberries, mulberries, lightly smoked meat, tobacco, and spices like nutmeg, as well as iodine and graphite. Medium to full body with very racy tannins that run the length of the wine and give it structure and length. Racy and structured with intention. From organically grown grapes. Drink after 2027."
2020
Wine Advocate
Score
98
Date
2023-02-28
"One year ago, I tasted this as a barrel sample when it was still young and undeveloped, juicy and with plenty of baby fat. And now tasted from bottle, the 2020 Vi¤a El Pis¢n has turned into a serious wine despite 2020 being a more approachable vintage with more fruit, but still has a remarkable tannic structure. It's elegant, austere and subtle, with a very long aftertaste, and the strength here is the mouthfeel. It's both powerful and ethereal, with stunning balance. They finally bottled it after the normal ,levage, and the idea is to perhaps bottle it before was abandoned, as they realized what seemed like a more fragile vintage at first also benefitted from the ,levage. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2022."
2019
James Suckling
Score
99
Date
2022-09-13
2019
Wine Advocate
Score
98
Date
2021-12-30