Viña Ardanza 2012 is a blend of 80% Tempranillo from the La Cuesta and
Montecillo vineyards in the Rioja Alta subregion, and 20% Garnacha from La
Perdriza in Rioja Oriental. This Garnacha is the key to Ardanza’s structure,
aromatics, and concentration: these vines are actually higher in altitude than
most of the Rioja Alta subzone, and sit on barren, free-draining soils made up
with large pudding-stones similar to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These two varieties
are harvested and vinified separately, ageing around three years in American oak
barrels which are produced in-house by La Rioja Alta S.A.’s own cooperage.
During the maturation, the wine is racked by hand and by candlelight; La Rioja
Alta S.A. are one of the handful of producers still to use this traditional
technique in Rioja which ensure supple tannins and the savoury flavours that so
defines their style. It is also worth nothing is that the wine can qualify as a
Gran Reserva, but in order to keep the wine in this price point, it is labelled
as Reserva.

"Garnacha is an important component in the 2012 Viña Ardanza Reserva, where it
represents 20% of the blend (the rest is, of course, Tempranillo). 2011 was a
difficult vintage for Garnacha, so Viña Ardanza was not produced that year and
they jumped from 2010, which had the mention "Selección Especial," to 2012,
where it returns to the regular Reserva. The wine is a prototype of polished and
aged Rioja with a ruby color with some orange and a developed nose with subtle
aromas of decayed leaves, sweet spices and some cherries in liqueur even, quite
complex and harmonious. The palate is velvety but rich, with resolved tannins
and a fine chalky mouthfeel, sleek and elegant, terribly balanced. The flavors
are pure and defined, and there is an overall sense of harmony that I like very
much. Brilliant Ardanza! They produced no less than 600,000 bottles of this
wine, which is remarkable. It has been in bottle since March 2016, so it's very
approachable but should also age nicely in bottle. Drink or keep." 94 pts, Luis
Gutierez, Wine Advocate

"Traditional and beautiful in character with plum, balsamic, orange-peel and
leather aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with creamy texture and a
long, intense aftertaste. Drink or hold." 95pts, James Suckling