La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2016

2016 was an excellent vintage and the wines are notable for their depth and persistence. The Tempranillo (80%) comes from 30-year-old vines and the Garnacha (20%) from La Pedriza Rioja Oriental, a 40-hectare estate with unbeatable conditions for growing this variety. The wines have balanced acidity and alcohol. They also have high aromatic intensity and quality as well as perfectly ripe tannins, resulting in a smooth and round mouthfeel.

The liquid is an intense garnet red colour and the nose offers up spicy and balsamic liquorice, clove, nutmeg and black pepper notes, enveloping a subtle hint of ripe red fruit: brandied cherry and raspberry jam. The palate is well-balanced, fresh, with a broad range of flavours and soft, round tannins, leading to a spicy, balsam-like aftertaste on the finish.