La Rioja Alta : Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial 2017

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Viña Ardanza 2023 from La Rioja Alta

Tasting

Color
This wine has an intense cherry red color bordered by an elegant garnet rim.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals a beautiful complexity, mixing fruity notes of cherry, blackcurrant and red plum, refreshing balsamic nuances, as well as spicy touches of pepper, licorice, clove, vanilla and toasted caramel. A subtle note of nutmeg completes this rich and seductive aromatic palette.

Palate
On the palate, this wine stands out for its remarkable freshness and balance. The structure is both fine and silky, carried by perfectly integrated elegant tannins. The finish, long and fresh, extends the tasting pleasure with a beautiful aromatic persistence.

A wine from La Rioja enhanced by an exceptional terroir

The property

Founded in 1890 by five families from La Rioja and the Basque Country, La Rioja Alta is a pillar of Spanish oenology, located in Haro, in the wine region of La Rioja. Under the direction of Guillermo de Aranzabal, fifth generation of the founding family, the estate extends over 460 hectares, mainly in Rioja Alta, Alavesa and Baja. The house stands out for its exclusive use of American oak barrels and its commitment to traditional methods, producing iconic wines like the Gran Reservas 890 and 904, synonymous with excellence and longevity.

The vineyard

The Viña Ardanza comes from carefully selected plots in La Rioja. The tempranillo comes from the vineyards of La Cuesta in Cenicero and Montecillo in Fuenmayor, planted more than 30 years ago. The garnacha is grown on the terroir of La Pedriza in Tudelilla, in the Eastern Rioja, on deep clay-limestone and stony soils. These 17-year-old vines benefit from a unique terroir that gives the wine its characteristic complexity and freshness.

The vintage

The historic frost that occurred on April 28 affected some of the plots, but the vineyards of Cenicero (tempranillo) and Tudelilla (garnacha) were preserved. Despite a production volume below average, the maturation of the grapes took place under ideal conditions, allowing the production of a Viña Ardanza with remarkable freshness and excellent aging potential.

Vinification and aging

Hand harvesting with a first selection in the vineyard. The bunches are transported refrigerated to the winery where they undergo a second selection on an optical sorting table. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at 27°C, followed by a natural malolactic fermentation. Aging is carried out in American oak barrels for 36 months for the tempranillo and 30 months for the garnacha, with 20% new wood. During this period, the wine benefits from 5 traditional candle rackings.

Blend

Tempranillo (80%) and garnacha (20%).