La Rioja Alta, S.A. - Viña Ardanza - Rioja Reserva
94 points - The Wine Advocate
94 points - The Wine Advocate
95 points - The Wine Advocate
La Rioja Alta, S.A. - Viña Ardanza - Rioja Reserva
94 points - The Wine Advocate
94 points - The Wine Advocate
95 points - The Wine Advocate
Regular price€42.00
€42.00
/
- 8 in stock
- Inventory on the way
No 2018 was produced, so after the 2017 tasted last year, the release jumps to the 2019 Viña Ardanza Reserva, produced with a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. The wine fermented destemmed in stainless steel and was aged in American oak barrels—36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 months for the Garnacha—before being blended and bottled.
2019 is considered a very good year for the estate, marked by a small crop of powerful, concentrated wines when all their brands were produced, which was an exception. The wine shows a spicy, structured, balanced and powerful profile in this warm vintage, reaching the customary 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.54 and 5.5 grams of acidity. It remains very young and undeveloped, showing the classical house style, generous in American oak aromas and flavors that should slowly integrate with years in bottle.
For the estate, 2019 represents a shift in Ardanza: slightly less spicy (though still marked by clove, vanilla, and tobacco leaf) and showing more fresh fruit from the Garnacha. The character of the year makes it a modern version of 2015. Production totaled 500,000 bottles, and the wine was bottled in December 2023. No vintages will be released in 2023 or 2024.
2017 was not an easy harvest, but it produced some beautiful and classical wines, like the 2017 Viña Ardanza Reserva, which shows a little more advancement and polish and is ready to drink.
It was produced with 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha from their vineyard La Pedriza in Tudelilla. It fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in American oak barrels, 36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 for the Garnacha (that was harvested 15 days later), with six rackings.
It's ripe and aromatic, tertiary, with 14.5% alcohol and mellow acidity, a medium-bodied palate and sleek tannins. It has a pungent note of clove and pepper, some licorice and ink and the cherries in liqueur from the Garnacha. An updated classical Ardanza.
The 2016 Viña Ardanza Reserva was produced with 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha that matured in used American oak barrels for three years, where it was hand-racked from barrel to barrel six times in the case of Tempranillo and five times for the Garnacha, as it had a slightly shorter élevage of 30 months.
Against all odds, I found the 2016 to be fresher than the 2015 and less developed, even though winemaker Julio Sáenz told me he considers it a warmer year. But I have found many wines I like in 2016, and the wine feels very clean and quite harmonious, younger, and less developed, with more primary notes and a velvety mouthfeel.
Type: |
Red |
Country: |
Spain |
Region: |
La Rioja |
Appellation: |
Rioja |
Producer: |
La Rioja Alta, S.A. |
Grapes/Blend: |
Tempranillo, Grenache |
Serving temp: |
16° - 18° C |
ABV: |
14.5% |
Pairing Sugesstions: |
Lamb, Game Birds, Duck, Pork, Grilled Meats, Grilled Vegetables, Salads, Manchego, Roquefort, Tomato-Based Dishes |
Local Delivery
We have a fleet of vans that deliver throughout the French and Italian Riviera, rates calculated based on distance at cart stage. Option to book time and date.
For deliveries further afield, please call for a quote: +33 4 65 84 99 51
France / Monaco
1 - 2 working days delivery in France, for orders placed before 2pm.
Options for couriers and drop off points available at checkout.
EU - Mainland
1 - 3 day delivery throughout mainland EU, for orders placed before 2pm. Allow an extra day for islands.
Options for couriers and drop off points available at checkout.
Rest of the World
Please call for a quote: +33 4 65 84 99 51
