Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja DOCa
80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha
La Rioja Alta, S.A. is one of Rioja’s historic traditional producers, founded in 1890 in Haro’s Barrio de la Estación. Viña Ardanza is among the estate’s emblematic wines and represents a classical Rioja approach: extended maturation, American oak, and a Tempranillo-led blend balanced by a significant proportion of Garnacha.
The Tempranillo comes from La Rioja Alta’s La Cuesta and Montecillo vineyards in Fuenmayor and Cenicero, where vines more than 30 years old grow predominantly on clay-limestone soils. The Garnacha comes from La Pedriza in Tudelilla, a higher-elevation, rocky vineyard in Rioja Oriental.
2016 was very good vintage in Rioja. Moderate spring rainfall was followed by a dry, hot summer, producing ripe, concentrated fruit while retaining the freshness necessary for extended aging. In making this wine the varieties were matured separately, with the Tempranillo spending 36 months in four-year-old American oak and the Garnacha 30 months in previously used barrels.
This magnum was decanted and served after approximately 30 minutes. In the glass, it showed a deep garnet red with a dark ruby core and subtle brick red tones toward the rim, revealing the beginnings of maturity.
The nose was fragrant and layered, opening with dark cherry, pomegranate and plum, followed by sandalwood, cedar, and vanilla. With air, the wine became increasingly savory and complex, revealing tobacco, leather, dried herbs, licorice, spice and balsamic notes, while the distinctive influence of American oak remained beautifully integrated. The palate was smooth and velvety, with ripe fruit and oak beautifully integrated with the savory complexity that developed through aging. Bright acidity provided freshness and structure, leading to a long, savory finish.
This 2016 remains very much in its evolutionary phase, with plenty of development still ahead.