La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2015

Vina Ardanza Reserva 2015 is a distinguished wine crafted by La Rioja Alta, one of the most renowned wineries in the Rioja appellation. Under the expert guidance of winemaker Julio Saenz, this vintage showcases the exceptional qualities of the region.

The 2015 harvest benefited from ideal weather conditions, ensuring excellent canopy development and plant health. This resulted in a perfect balance of ripeness, yielding wines with intense fruit flavors, silky textures, balanced tannins, and remarkable aging potential. The vintage was officially rated as Very Good, further attesting to its quality.

The vineyards for Vina Ardanza Reserva 2015 comprise 78% Tempranillo sourced from the Cuesta and Montecillo vineyards, boasting 30-year-old vines. 22% of the grapes are sourced from La Pedriza in Tudelilla, Rioja Oriental. La Pedriza is recognized for growing excellent Garnacha grapes. The grapes were handpicked in mid-October and meticulously transported to the winery under refrigeration.

At the winery, an unprecedented optical selection process was implemented, meticulously examining each individual berry. The alcoholic fermentation happened without human intervention, and the malolactic fermentation finished by the end of the year. Afterwards, the Tempranillo and the Garnacha wines were aged separately. The Tempranillo was aged for 36 months in American oak barrels that were around 4 years old, while the Garnacha was aged for 30 months in American oak barrels that had held two or three previous wines. After this careful aging process, the final blend was bottled in September 2019.

Vina Ardanza Reserva 2015 presents itself as a garnet red wine with medium-high depth. This wine has a sophisticated blend of flavors and scents, including notes of spicy and balsamic aromas such as sweet liquorice, vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa, coffee, nutmeg, and stewed red fruits. On the palate, it displays outstanding balance, refreshing acidity, and excellent structure, with supple and round tannins. The wine delivers a delightful mouthfeel, leading to a generous and lingering finish with notes of spice, sweet liquorice, and ripe fruit. Vina Ardanza 2015 is a timeless wine with tremendous aging potential, making it one of the finest vintages of the XXI century.

This exceptional wine has garnered critical acclaim, with Wine Spectator awarding it 91 points, highlighting its refined and traditional style. Wine Advocate praised it with 94 points, emphasizing its sleek and polished nature, while Decanter bestowed 93 points, praising its brightness and layers of dark cherry fruit. James Suckling awarded it an impressive 96 points, noting its rich aromas of red berries, sweet spice, and its creamy, balanced palate with vibrant, spicy character.

Vina Ardanza Reserva 2015 is an exemplary wine that reflects the mastery of La Rioja Alta and the artistic touch of winemaker Julio Saenz. It is a true gem that wine enthusiasts can savor now or cellar for years to come.