2000 La Rioja Alta "Viña Ardanza" Reserva Rioja

Founded in 1890 by five families of deeply passionate wine growers, La Rioja Alta is one of the most iconic bodegas of Rioja, and its delicate, exquisite wines rarely fail to captivate and enthrall. Situated in the historic town of Haro with neighbors that include Bodegas Muga and López Heredia, this winery has maintained strong traditional roots while implementing new technology when necessary to enhance quality. The 2000 Viña Ardanza Reserva is a classic rendition, having spent up to three years in older oak barrels before release. The result? A prismatically elegant, perfectly-aged wine redolent of cured tobacco, crushed raspberries and sweet spice, achieving an ideal balance between fruit and acidity. Complex, layered and superbly nuanced, the Ardanza will dictate what to serve with it, not the other way around, although I might suggest a pork tenderloin.

A wonderful offering from La Rioja Alta, this reserva is NOT to be missed! Driven by complex notes of dried red fruit, baking spices, tobacco and cedar, this rioja possesses excellent balance and acidity. This is the perfect match for your favorite rustic cuisine!

The addition of a good dose of Garnacha in the Vina Ardanza adds structure and depth, and makes for a wine with a more prominent and darker fruit profile than their Vina Alberdi, which is traditionally 100% Tempranillo. The nose reveals a complex bouquet of fruit and spice aromas interlaced with the more developed, savory aromas that I have come to love about good Rioja with some bottle age. Though mature now, still-ripe flavors of raspberry and blackberry support the developing dried fruit, caramelized nuts, and earthy flavors on the palate. This is a wine that is perfect to enjoy now, but the firm tannins and long finish indicate that it will continue to evolve for a few more years in bottle.