The Vina Ardanza Reserva from La Rioja Alta is now also available in the attractive 1.5L magnum bottle.
The Ardanza is the more Burgundian type Rioja, which is why it is also filled into bulbous Burgundy bottles. It consists of 80% Tempranillo, which grew in Fuenmayor and Cenicero in Rioja Alta and 20% Garnacha from Tudelilla in Rioja Baja. It is aged in used barriques for 30 to 36 months. No new barrels are used because with La Rioja Alta you don't want intense roasted notes in the Vina Ardanza. After expansion, it takes another two years for the wine to mature in the bottle before it goes on sale.
La Rioja Alta only produces Vina Ardanza in vintages that have a style suitable for this wine. The last time was 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009 & 2008 possible. No Ardanza was bottled in 2014, 2013 and 2011.
The Rioja Ardanza 2016 is slightly lighter than the other wines of the house due to the relatively high proportion of Garnacha grapes, which does not mean that it is lighter. Aromas such as herbs, cinnamon, chocolate, cranberries, balsamic notes, cocoa and coffee beans can be found here. It has a rather red berry character and a lot of extract, which coats the tannins that are present very well, almost even hiding them. The 14.5% alcohol is practically imperceptible from a sensory point of view, the wine is aromatically relatively cool and impresses with its finesse and structure. Stylistically a Burgundy from Rioja. Will live long. The winery itself even calls this wine timeless and rates it as one of the best vintages of the 21st century. We are just as excited!
Food recommendations: lamb, beef, BBQ, braised dishes and mature cheese.
The Ardanza Reserva 2016 receives euphoric press reviews every year it is released:
- Parke's Wine Advocate: 94+/100 (born 2016)
- James Suckling: 95 points (born 2016)
- Guia Penin: 95 points (born 2016)
- Tim Atkin: 94 points (born 2015)
- International Wine and Spirit Competition: Gold (born 2015)
- Robert Parker / The Wine Advocate: 94 points (born 2012)
- Decanter: 94 points - Best Spanish red wine 2020 (vintage 2012)
| Optimal drinking: |
now until 2041+ |
| Analysis data: |
14.5% alcohol vol., 6.5 g/l acid, 1.6 g/l residual sugar |
| Refining: |
30-36 months in barriques |
| Grape variety: |
80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha |
| Reviews: |
95/100 James Suckling, 95/100 Guia Penin (both 2016 vintage) |
| Closure: |
Natural cork |
| Type: |
dry red wine |
Bottled by: La Rioja Alta, S.A., Avda. de Vizcaya 8, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain
Product from Spain - contains sulfites
