La Rioja Alta’s Viña Ardanza Reserva is one of the finest Reserva’s available and a benchmark for the region. Every vintage is outstanding and never fails to elicit a smile upon drinking. La Rioja Alta is the gold standard for traditional bodegas: a winery that ages their wines the old-fashioned way, meaning three years in barrel with two rackings a year, followed by three years in bottle.
Outstanding aromatic intensity on the nose, with spicy and balsamic liquorice, clove, nutmeg and black pepper notes, enveloping a subtle hint of ripe red fruit: brandied cherry and raspberry jam. The palate is well-balanced and fresh, with a broad range of flavours and soft, round tannins, leading to a spicy, balsam-like aftertaste on the finish.
A Viña Ardanza in its prime and with a long life ahead of it.
The 2016 vintage comprises 80% Tempranillo from Fuenmayor and Cenicero blended together with 20% Garnacha from the famous ‘La Pedriza’ vineyard in Tudelilla.