Viña Ardanza 2016
Outstanding Value Rioja
La Rioja Alta S.A. is one of Spain’s most prestigious wineries and is rated within the top 50 ‘World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2023’ from Drinks International for good reasons. They manufacture their own barrels which they manually rack every six months by the light of a candle to enhance the development of the wine.
Their wines are critically acclaimed with iconic cuvee Gran Reserva 904 being a collector’s favourite while little brother Vina Ardanza is a fantastic introduction to the winery and offers outstanding value.
2016 – The Growing Season
An excellent vintage, with wines that stand out for their depth and persistence. Bud break occurred on the regular dates, with moderate rainfall in the spring and evenly distributed throughout the growing season. Despite the drought and high summer temperatures, the acidity of the wines is balanced with the alcohol. They also have high aromatic intensity and quality as well as perfectly ripe tannins, resulting in a smooth and round mouthfeel.
Vina Ardanza 2016
Made with 80% Tempranillo sourced from 30-year-old vines and 20% Garnacha sourced from an old vineyard sitting on pebble stones, similar to Rhone. Hand-harvested, only perfectly ripe grapes are included in the blend. Tempranillo is aged for 36 months in used American oak barrels while Garnacha spends 30 months in it. Secure your allocation now.
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 points, Luis Giuterrez, Robert Parker
Savory and complex with dried orange peel, cedar and plenty of sweet spices, walnuts, caramel, dried mushrooms and pine needles. Shows maturity here, with a medium body and superb freshness. Incredibly long finish with lots of truffle and walnut. Lasts over a minute. Very complete now, but you can still hold it - 95 points, James Suckling
