La Rioja Alta is famed for producing ‘some of the finest Riojas that can grace your cellar,’ says Neal Martin. The Viña Ardanza Reserva stands out as a highlight of 2017 Rioja – offering exceptional quality and longevity.
This red blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha is fresh and elegant, with incredible depth of fruit and sleek tannins. ‘Beautiful and classical’, writes the Wine Advocate, it’s a treat to drink now but has the concentration and structure to last for years to come.
Established in 1890, ‘La Rioja Alta helped define the standards of classic Rioja and is one of the fine wine world’s most respected producers’ (Decanter). They continue to make benchmark wines with methods used for over 100 years, and the Viña Ardanza remains a highlight of their lineup.
Now hitting its stride and entering its prime drinking window, this versatile food wine is sure to disappear quickly.
Tasting Notes:
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 2017
‘Pale garnet. Perfumed, lifted and red-fruited. The tannins just melt into the very pretty red-fruit core, which has lots of purity, delicacy and bright freshness. The oak is present but balanced. The finish is earthy, with slight balsamic notes.’ – Florencia Gomez, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5+/20
‘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.’ – Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 94/100
