The standard bearer for traditional Rioja
Some grape varieties are only too eager to succumb to oxidation, others bitterly resist. Tempranillo very much falls into the latter camp, which is one of the reasons for Rioja's legendary longevity. One of the region's most loved bottlings is La Rioja Alta's Vina Ardanza. It typically has a long arc of drinkability, and I've enjoyed some wonderful bottlings of diverse ages. Released today, the 2016 is especially good, delightful already, but with everything in place for a long cellar life.
La Rioja Alta is very much the standard bearer for a traditional style of Rioja, based on long aging in American barrels. Ardanza is matured in American oak for long beyond what is required by regulation; it is a Reserva, but would easily meet the requirements to be classed as a Gran Reserva.
2016 saw an excellent, abundant harvest - 'a perfect Ardanza year', says winemaker Julio Saenz. Ardanza is only made in the best vintages, which recently has averaged out at 1 in 2. 2016 Ardanza stands out for its powerful elegance, and the ripe, supple tannins. The intense bouquet packs in cherry and orange, tobacco and pine; the tightly-wound palate suggests it still has quite some way to go. /NT
'The 2016 Viña Ardanza Reserva was produced with 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha that matured in used American oak barrels for three years, where it was hand-racked from barrel to barrel six times in the case of Tempranillo and five times for the Garnacha, as it had a slightly shorter élevage of 30 months. Against all odds, I found the 2016 to be fresher than the 2015 and less developed, despite the fact that winemaker Julio Sáenz told me he considers it a warmer year. But I have found many wines I like in 2016, and the wine feels very clean and quite harmonious, younger and less developed, with more primary notes and a velvety mouthfeel. 94+ points' - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com, Jul 2022
Offered subject to remaining unsold; available Spring 2023
