La Rioja Alta
Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha
La Rioja, Spain
First time drinking Viña Ardanza. Chose this 2009 to try before the highly anticipated 2010 Reserva Especial. This is so youthful at the moment and will doutbless improve with age (and plenty of it). There’s a prominence of oak & tannin now that sets it up well for the long haul. Medium bodied with plenty of acidity and a lasting finish. Was brilliant with a fatty sirloin. A great example of modern Rioja that should age well - and a promising forerunner to the 2010.
First time drinking Viña Ardanza. Chose this 2009 to try before the highly anticipated 2010 Reserva Especial. This is so youthful at the moment and will doutbless improve with age (and plenty of it). There’s a prominence of oak & tannin now that sets it up well for the long haul. Medium bodied with plenty of acidity and a lasting finish. Was brilliant with a fatty sirloin. A great example of modern Rioja that should age well - and a promising forerunner to the 2010.
Dec 14th, 2019
Toasty. Caramel. Well balanced. Soft tannins. Good young. A winner!
Toasty. Caramel. Well balanced. Soft tannins. Good young. A winner!
Dec 11th, 2019
Has to be new American oak. Vanilla, dill, great polished tannins. Nice wine.
Has to be new American oak. Vanilla, dill, great polished tannins. Nice wine.
Jul 7th, 2019
Does this winery ever do wrong? So tasty, and fresh as a daisy. Terrific for the price!
Does this winery ever do wrong? So tasty, and fresh as a daisy. Terrific for the price!
Feb 13th, 2019
Tasty, needed a decant. Green pepper, fennel, wood.
Tasty, needed a decant. Green pepper, fennel, wood.
Oct 24th, 2018
Always exceptional. I really admire the 2009 but I would prefer some of the vanillin/coconut American oak character to be a bit more woven into the overall picture. Pure red fruit aromas, exotic cedar and spice, sweet tobacco and a hint of balsamic herb. The freshness and silky tannins are delightful, just wait a few years for the aromatics to come together and resolve some of the younger parts. It’s going to be special.
Always exceptional. I really admire the 2009 but I would prefer some of the vanillin/coconut American oak character to be a bit more woven into the overall picture. Pure red fruit aromas, exotic cedar and spice, sweet tobacco and a hint of balsamic herb. The freshness and silky tannins are delightful, just wait a few years for the aromatics to come together and resolve some of the younger parts. It’s going to be special.
Sep 19th, 2018
Medium garnet with a pronounced aroma of cedar, vanilla, raspberry and cherry. On the palate, high acidity and medium tannins, with oaky notes of butter, dill, cedar and vanilla with some pleasant cherry and cinnamon in the background. Long finish. Very good.
Medium garnet with a pronounced aroma of cedar, vanilla, raspberry and cherry. On the palate, high acidity and medium tannins, with oaky notes of butter, dill, cedar and vanilla with some pleasant cherry and cinnamon in the background. Long finish. Very good.
Aug 23rd, 2018Always my favorite Rioja. So savory and tertiary.
Always my favorite Rioja. So savory and tertiary.
Nov 6th, 2017
This is a delicious 10 year old Rioja Reserva. Showing a beautiful nose with lots of flowers.
On the palate, red and black fruits with chocolates, cedar, leather, vanilla, cloves, spices, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs. Dry and spicy.
Long tangy finish with soft tannins.
Needs 60 minutes of airtime to open up properly.
Robert Parker 93 points. Wine Spectator 90 points.
Not fully balanced anymore, but very enjoyable by itself or with food.
A blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. Aged separately for 36 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$39.
This is a delicious 10 year old Rioja Reserva. Showing a beautiful nose with lots of flowers.
On the palate, red and black fruits with chocolates, cedar, leather, vanilla, cloves, spices, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs. Dry and spicy.
Long tangy finish with soft tannins.
Needs 60 minutes of airtime to open up properly.
Robert Parker 93 points. Wine Spectator 90 points.
Not fully balanced anymore, but very enjoyable by itself or with food.
A blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. Aged separately for 36 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$39.
Tasty Rioja at the best tapas place in all of Durham, NC...Great pair with roasted pig tail with root vegetables and 35 day dry-aged ribeye!
Tasty Rioja at the best tapas place in all of Durham, NC...Great pair with roasted pig tail with root vegetables and 35 day dry-aged ribeye!
1 person found it helpfulOct 16th, 2018