Rioja
2010 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Rioja Reserva Especial DOCa 6x150cl
£250 / Case£41.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2016 CVNE, Gran Reserva Imperial, Rioja 6x75cl
“Polished and structured with firm, very fine tannins. Lots going on here, with layers of black fruit, dried spices, graphite, coconut and cracked pepper. Full-bodied and so intense. Keeps going.... Long. The tannins are so fine and so numerous. One of the greatest modern gran reservas. 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano and 5% mazuelo. Try in 2025.”
98 pts, James Suckling www.jamessuckling.com
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2016 La Rioja Alta, Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja 6x75cl
"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. 600,000 bottles produced. The wine was bottled in June 2020." 94 pts., Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com
£119 / Case£19.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2015 La Rioja Alta, Vina Arana Gran Reserva, Rioja 6x75cl
Deep, dark crimson colour with an elegant garnet robe. The nose reveals a wide variety of aromas: red fruit, plums, blackberries and blueberries with subtle notes of pastry, coffee, caramel, cedar,... vanilla and cinnamon creating a fruity and balsamic bouquet. Balanced alcohol and acidity on the palate, with polished, supple tannins that contribute to its refined structure and fresh, delicate mouthfeel, as well as a long, lingering finish.
£168 / Case£28 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2015 La Rioja Alta, Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja 12x75cl
Viña Ardanza 2015 is a blend of 78% Tempranillo from the La Cuesta and Montecillo vineyards in the Rioja Alta region, and 22% Garnacha from La Perdriza in Rioja Oriental. Here, Garnacha is crucial... for Ardanza’s structure, aromatics and concentration as it comes from vines perfectly set on barren, puddingstone, free-draining soils situated at higher altitudes. Both varietals are harvested and vinified separately, ageing around three years in American oak barrels from La Rioja Alta S.A.’s own cooperage.
As for the vintage, the weather in 2015 has been described as ‘almost perfect’ with it being one of the highest-scoring vintages of the last 10 years amongst critics. It has been compared most closely with the perfect 2010. Canopy development and vine health were in excellent condition throughout the growing season, giving optimal ripening balance that resulted in silky wines with an intensity of fruit, finely tuned tannins; ones superbly poised for extensive aging.
£242 / Case£20.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate