La Rioja Alta
Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha
La Rioja, Spain
Catching up on my March Issue of Decanter, which, among other things, celebrates the wines of Spain from regions such as Rioja, Toro, Rias Baixas, Alicante, Manchuela, Valencia, and Jumilla. 🍷🍷🍷 This Issue reminds me of how much I have yet to explore in this country. 🇪🇸 It inspired me to have a glass of Rioja made from the Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) grapes.
👁 This wine has a medium ruby hue with garnet rim variation. 👃 It has a medium intensity of developing aromas. 👄 Aroma and flavor notes are concentrated and include black cherry, red currant, plum sauce, violet, black licorice, anise, balsamic vinegar, black olive, sweet tobacco, leather, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, clove, earth, and peat. This wine has medium acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, and a medium(+) finish. It’s complex; it has finesse.
This wine is from La Rioja Alta, S.A., Viña Ardanza, Reserva 2012, with an ABV of 14.5%. This wine is predominately Tempranillo (78%), coming from 30-year-old vines, which is blended with Garnacha (Grenache) (22%). It has extended American oak aging.
I have tried numerous wines from this producer – La Rioja Alta, S.A. – and have loved them all.
Catching up on my March Issue of Decanter, which, among other things, celebrates the wines of Spain from regions such as Rioja, Toro, Rias Baixas, Alicante, Manchuela, Valencia, and Jumilla. 🍷🍷🍷 This Issue reminds me of how much I have yet to explore in this country. 🇪🇸 It inspired me to have a glass of Rioja made from the Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) grapes.
👁 This wine has a medium ruby hue with garnet rim variation. 👃 It has a medium intensity of developing aromas. 👄 Aroma and flavor notes are concentrated and include black cherry, red currant, plum sauce, violet, black licorice, anise, balsamic vinegar, black olive, sweet tobacco, leather, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, clove, earth, and peat. This wine has medium acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, and a medium(+) finish. It’s complex; it has finesse.
This wine is from La Rioja Alta, S.A., Viña Ardanza, Reserva 2012, with an ABV of 14.5%. This wine is predominately Tempranillo (78%), coming from 30-year-old vines, which is blended with Garnacha (Grenache) (22%). It has extended American oak aging.
I have tried numerous wines from this producer – La Rioja Alta, S.A. – and have loved them all.
Officially a fan. This particular vintage is great. Layers of complexity on the nose and palate: beginning with ripe red fruit, then dark chocolate, followed by spiced tobacco and and a generous balanced finish. Fun on the palate yet composed and structured with a certain degree of intellect. A true gem, there are 2012 bottles out and are a true bargain. Cheers.
Officially a fan. This particular vintage is great. Layers of complexity on the nose and palate: beginning with ripe red fruit, then dark chocolate, followed by spiced tobacco and and a generous balanced finish. Fun on the palate yet composed and structured with a certain degree of intellect. A true gem, there are 2012 bottles out and are a true bargain. Cheers.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 16th, 2023
2022/9. American oak gradually dissipates a bit to reveal layers of delicious red fruit - cherries, raspberries, strawberries - with spice and herbs to complement. A great, joyful traditional Rioja.
2022/9. American oak gradually dissipates a bit to reveal layers of delicious red fruit - cherries, raspberries, strawberries - with spice and herbs to complement. A great, joyful traditional Rioja.
1 person found it helpfulSep 24th, 2022
From 30-year old vines. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha (no ‘11 made b/c Garnacha wasn’t great). Tempranillo spent 36 months on 4-year old American oak, Garnacha spent 30 months on 2-year old American oak. Ruby with nose of red fruit, cedar and floral citrus notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, currant and orange peel with vanilla, cacao and tobacco notes. Well developed, fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral flavor. Very Nice!
From 30-year old vines. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha (no ‘11 made b/c Garnacha wasn’t great). Tempranillo spent 36 months on 4-year old American oak, Garnacha spent 30 months on 2-year old American oak. Ruby with nose of red fruit, cedar and floral citrus notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, currant and orange peel with vanilla, cacao and tobacco notes. Well developed, fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral flavor. Very Nice!
1 person found it helpfulFeb 26th, 2021
Felt light texturally.
Very drinkable without food
Felt light texturally.
Very drinkable without food
2022/8 with piperade, etc. This was a lovely traditional Rioja (my favorite kind): beautiful intense but translucent strawberry and raspberry fruit with the vanilla-cheese American oak element that is at home here as nowhere else.
2022/8 with piperade, etc. This was a lovely traditional Rioja (my favorite kind): beautiful intense but translucent strawberry and raspberry fruit with the vanilla-cheese American oak element that is at home here as nowhere else.
Aug 29th, 2022
A absolute steal at $35, this Rioja is aging beautifully and I’d say 2022 is the perfect time to drink this. A light, tawny color. A nose of cranberries, cherries, leather, tobacco and what I’m calling a fresh goat cheese. The palate is perfectly balanced. Lots of intense, bright fruit with a wonderful acidity that reminds me of ouzo or lemon curd. The finish is long and smooth with some leathery and cedar notes. Nearly perfect structure. Wow.
A absolute steal at $35, this Rioja is aging beautifully and I’d say 2022 is the perfect time to drink this. A light, tawny color. A nose of cranberries, cherries, leather, tobacco and what I’m calling a fresh goat cheese. The palate is perfectly balanced. Lots of intense, bright fruit with a wonderful acidity that reminds me of ouzo or lemon curd. The finish is long and smooth with some leathery and cedar notes. Nearly perfect structure. Wow.
Jun 14th, 2022Classic example. The oak is not as coconut and dill heavy and the fruit is a bit more forthright than some other Rioja producers. Nose of cigar red and blue berries. Palate of bright fruit with medium acid and tannin. Drinking well now, but this still has plenty, plenty of life.
Classic example. The oak is not as coconut and dill heavy and the fruit is a bit more forthright than some other Rioja producers. Nose of cigar red and blue berries. Palate of bright fruit with medium acid and tannin. Drinking well now, but this still has plenty, plenty of life.
Jun 6th, 2022
Dryer than other Tempranillo varieties. Very nice. Syrah qualities.
Dryer than other Tempranillo varieties. Very nice. Syrah qualities.
Apr 19th, 2022