La Rioja Alta - Ardanza Rioja Riserva 2010

Anbau: naturnah

Ausbau: 36 Monate Holzfass

Flaschenreifung: mehrere Monate

Inhalt: 75 cl

Garnacha is an important component in the 2012 Viña Ardanza Reserva, where it represents 20% of the blend (the rest is, of course, Tempranillo). 2011 was a difficult vintage for Garnacha, so Viña Ardanza was not produced that year and they jumped from 2010, which had the mention "Selección Especial," to 2012, where it returns to the regular Reserva. The wine is a prototype of polished and aged Rioja with a ruby color with some orange and a developed nose with subtle aromas of decayed leaves, sweet spices and some cherries in liqueur even, quite complex and harmonious. The palate is velvety but rich, with resolved tannins and a fine chalky mouthfeel, sleek and elegant, terribly balanced. The flavors are pure and defined, and there is an overall sense of harmony that I like very much. Brilliant Ardanza! They produced no less than 600,000 bottles of this wine, which is remarkable. It has been in bottle since March 2016, so it's very approachable but should also age nicely in bottle. 94/100 (10.2020) 

Dark garnet. Smoke-tinged red currant, dried cherry, exotic spice and floral aromas take on notes of licorice, pipe tobacco and vanilla with air. Shows fine definition and thrust on the palate, displaying sweet red berry, bitter cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes impressively long and silky, with resonating florality, well-knit tannins and a lingering hint of cola. 94/100 (03.2021)