La Rioja Alta
Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha
La Rioja, Spain
The 2015 Viña Ardanza is only the third vintage of this wine that I’ve tasted, yet it has quickly become perhaps my favourite Rioja - for quality, value, style, and sheer pleasure. This is a match for the brilliant 2010, with an outrageously pure and beautiful nose of balsamic paste, bitter orange, black cherry, fig and vanilla. The palate is supple but firm, quite dark in character, with a gorgeous medley of black and red fruits, perhaps slightly fuller bodied than the 2010, and carrying through to a long, bitter orange, tar and tobacco-laced finish.
This is just such superb stuff, and to say it sells for around £20-30 a bottle, it’s a cellar must.
The 2015 Viña Ardanza is only the third vintage of this wine that I’ve tasted, yet it has quickly become perhaps my favourite Rioja - for quality, value, style, and sheer pleasure. This is a match for the brilliant 2010, with an outrageously pure and beautiful nose of balsamic paste, bitter orange, black cherry, fig and vanilla. The palate is supple but firm, quite dark in character, with a gorgeous medley of black and red fruits, perhaps slightly fuller bodied than the 2010, and carrying through to a long, bitter orange, tar and tobacco-laced finish.
This is just such superb stuff, and to say it sells for around £20-30 a bottle, it’s a cellar must.
This will please some garnacha fans, though I can’t say it’s my ideal Reserva blend. 78% Tempranillo and 22% garnancha, which seems like way too much. Has a sweaty sock aroma that blends with some cherry and vanilla flavors. Almost like a tart cherry pie. The cherry flavors continue throughout with some chocolate and a bit of caramel. Round and silky, and seems loosely structured. Just slightly less dimensional than I would want.
This will please some garnacha fans, though I can’t say it’s my ideal Reserva blend. 78% Tempranillo and 22% garnancha, which seems like way too much. Has a sweaty sock aroma that blends with some cherry and vanilla flavors. Almost like a tart cherry pie. The cherry flavors continue throughout with some chocolate and a bit of caramel. Round and silky, and seems loosely structured. Just slightly less dimensional than I would want.
Nov 13th, 2022
Drop dead gorgeous all around.
Drop dead gorgeous all around.
1 person found it helpfulOct 15th, 2022
Very exciting wine from Rioja Alta. Smooth and medium bodied blend of Tempranillo and garnacha. Excellent with ropa vieja and black beans and rice with yuca. Wow, out of this world.
Very exciting wine from Rioja Alta. Smooth and medium bodied blend of Tempranillo and garnacha. Excellent with ropa vieja and black beans and rice with yuca. Wow, out of this world.
1 person found it helpfulOct 7th, 2022
La Rioja Alta SA Viña Ardanza Reserva 2015: Medium-full bodied. Nice balance. Smooth silky tannins. Cherry. Plum. Vanilla. Leather. Oak. Long savory finish. A complex Rioja wine with fantastic taste & great value. This is an excellent wine selection. Go give it a try! Cheers🍷
La Rioja Alta SA Viña Ardanza Reserva 2015: Medium-full bodied. Nice balance. Smooth silky tannins. Cherry. Plum. Vanilla. Leather. Oak. Long savory finish. A complex Rioja wine with fantastic taste & great value. This is an excellent wine selection. Go give it a try! Cheers🍷
1 person found it helpfulSep 28th, 2022Dry, elegant, and just perfect. Mocha, berries, and full-mouth feel.
Dry, elegant, and just perfect. Mocha, berries, and full-mouth feel.
1 person found it helpfulSep 10th, 2022
Excelente vino! Decanto si o si x 30 minutos y tendrás una experiencia súper! Recomendable en lo personal recibes más calidad por lo que pagas !
Excelente vino! Decanto si o si x 30 minutos y tendrás una experiencia súper! Recomendable en lo personal recibes más calidad por lo que pagas !
Nov 30th, 2023Probably my favorite and, in my mind, the most consistent Spanish wine out there. A deep dark plum color in the glass. The nose absolutely shines with cedar and plenty of spice. There’s a bit of smoke here along with cherry cola and a little more spice. Dried herbs and chocolate round things out.
A preponderance of Tempranillo with a nice chunk of Garnacha in the blend. Obviously still so young but readily approachable and enjoyable now. The extended aging makes a world of difference with this wine vintage in and vintage out. Rich and full of personality, this is a beautiful wine that’s just going to continue to grow with age.
Probably my favorite and, in my mind, the most consistent Spanish wine out there. A deep dark plum color in the glass. The nose absolutely shines with cedar and plenty of spice. There’s a bit of smoke here along with cherry cola and a little more spice. Dried herbs and chocolate round things out.
A preponderance of Tempranillo with a nice chunk of Garnacha in the blend. Obviously still so young but readily approachable and enjoyable now. The extended aging makes a world of difference with this wine vintage in and vintage out. Rich and full of personality, this is a beautiful wine that’s just going to continue to grow with age.
2015 vintage. At the crest of drinkability meshed with cellar dweller. Right there. Decently priced so that you can hit it in both stages, multiple times. Medium body with solid acidity/tannins and full, frontal fruit. 9.6.23.
2015 vintage. At the crest of drinkability meshed with cellar dweller. Right there. Decently priced so that you can hit it in both stages, multiple times. Medium body with solid acidity/tannins and full, frontal fruit. 9.6.23.
Sep 6th, 2023