2007 La Rioja Alta "Viña Ardanza" Reserva Rioja
94RP
93DC
92VN
91JG
90WE
$69.99
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94
Wine Advocate
Reviewed April 2015The 2007 Viña Ardanza Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha, the Tempranillo from 30-year-old vineyards La Cuesta and Montecillo in the villages of Fuenmayor and Cenicero, and the Garnacha from old head-pruned vines at 600 meters altitude in Tudelilla, in Rioja Baja, from plots next to their Finca La Pedriza. Those should soon be mature enough to go into the wine (they were planted in 2004 and they will make it into the Ardanza blend from 2007-2008). The grapes are fermented separately with natural yeasts and the Tempranillo then matured in American oak barrels averaging four years old for 36 months, while the Garnacha matured in second- and third-use American oak barrels for 30 months. The nose is very fresh, with notes of beef blood, iron, cherries in liqueur, some subtle leather and spices plus notes of autumn forest and truffles. The palate is more lively and has some tannins that would feel better integrated with some food or a little bit of time in bottle It was bottled in November 2011. This will be released around September/October 2015, so by the time it hits the shelves it will be more polished. Great value for money. (LG)
Professional Reviews
93
Decanter
A muscular and complex Rioja with brooding dark fruit and cherry aromas and a distinctive smoky and spicy nose. Vanilla mingles with mace, cinnamon and lifted herbal notes of thyme on the palate, backed up with forest fruits, dark chocolate and a gentle, soft tannic structure. (AC)
92
Vinous
Brilliant red. Lively, oak-spiced raspberry and cherry scents are complemented by candied rose and vanilla, with a smoky mineral topnote providing added lift. Sappy and seamless on the palate, offering juicy red fruit, mocha and coconut flavors plus a suggestion of sweet chewing tobacco. In a graceful, approachable style, finishing with strong, thrust and silky, late-arriving tannins. While this suave Rioja is quite enjoyable now, I'd give it some more time in the cellar so that the American oak is able to integrate with the wine's fruit. (JR)
91
John Gilman
The 2007 Viña Ardanza Reserva from La Rioja Alta is a young and ripe, but excellent bottle of classic Rioja. The bouquet is deep and complex, delivering a fine constellation of baked cherries, raspberries, cloves, a bit of roasted meat, coffee, salty soil tones and toasted coconut. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and plush on the attack, with a rock solid core, a fair bit of backend tannin and fine length and grip on the still decidedly primary finish. The 2007 reminds me very strongly of the 1982 Ardanza when it was young, which aged very well with sufficient bottle age. This is, of course, approachable today, but it is still a fairly primary wine and its true blossoming is still several years down the road. 91+
Staff Reviews
SB
Scott Beckerley
Scott Beckerley
Another fine, traditional Rioja that I was able to taste right after the 2004 Vina Tondonia, which was great. This (also) traditionally styled Rioja has a beef broth nose with dark cherries and dried leaves. On the palate, dried red plums and cherries, cocoa powder and baking spices. Simply wonderful! Traditionalists, rejoice in this under-$30 bargain!
Notes
La Rioja Alta's Viña Ardanza has been our most popular Rioja for several years. It is no wonder, as this is the gold standard for traditional bodegas: a winery that ages their wines the old fashioned way, meaning three years in barrel with two rackings a year, followed by three years in bottle. According to the winery, the blend is "80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. The Tempranillo grapes come from 30-year-old vines planted in our Viña Ardanza vineyards in Fuenmayor and Cenicero. The Garnacha grapes come from old, goblet-pruned vines planted at an altitude of 600m above sea level in Tudelilla (Rioja Baja), in plots adjacent to our Finca La Pedriza estate."
Details
| Type | Red Wine |
|---|---|
| Varietal | Tempranillo |
| Origin | Rioja, Spain |
| Bottle Size | 750 mL |
| Alcohol Content | 13% |
| SKU | 1250925 |