La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial 2001
Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain
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ratings pedigree (past vintages):
winemaker's notes:
Medium-high cherry red robe, with orange tinted tones on the edge of the glass, clear and brilliant. Intense and complex to the nose. Wild berry aromas predominate, blended with hints of coconut, cinnamon, tobacco and leather. Full-bodied and well structured to the palate, with silky and enveloping tannins.
Long after-taste acquired from its lengthy time in bottle, where its elegant bouquet gains in intensity. This Viña Ardanza continues to evolve without losing its traditional qualities.
alcohol by volume:
13.2%
critical acclaim:
"The 2001 Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha from their vineyards in Fuenmayor and Rioja Baja respectively and it represents only the third vintage to be declared after 1964 and 1973. Aged in American cask for 36 months, it has a bucolic, natural bouquet of bright red cherries, balsamic, mint and a touch of dried honey all with superb delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with wonderful delineation and supple, lithe tannins. The acidity is very well judged and it leads to a pert, tense finish of bitter cherry, loganberry and licorice. This is an outstanding wine drinking perfectly now, but it should age effortlessly. Drink now-2030."
93 Points
The Wine Advocate
"The wine was lovely. It was quite full-bodied, yet classically supple and fresh, with bright cherry fruit accented with mineral, licorice and smoke notes. I rated it 92 points, non-blind, and reflected that—at the highest levels of quality, such as Pingus and Ardanza, and given some age—somehow modern and traditional began to resemble each other in true and lovely ways."
92 Points
Wine Spectator
"Deep red. Sexy, intensely perfumed bouquet of ripe raspberry and cherry with suggestions of potpourri, sandalwood and vanilla. Shows more power and darker fruits on the palate, picking up a touch of singed plum that adds a serious quality to the sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors without costing the wine any of its vibrancy. The long, sweet finish hangs on with very good tenacity."
92 Points
International Wine Cellar
User Reviews The top 3 most liked reviews for this wine.
Very robust flavorful red! Excellent, long finish. Must decant or let breathe for 30 mins or so.
Earthy & Spicy
This Wine, I Drink, With Relish
I'm giving this so many stars because it's really held up well over the years. the color was still a deep red, not oxidized, and the acid as well as fruit holds up very well. Anyone interested in drinking a good example of a rioja or an aged wine should grab a bottle of this. Our favorite in a tasting of Spanish wines.
Smooth & Supple
Beef > Stew
Drink it is beguining to go acid.....
I have a mixed feeling toward this one. Maybe the one I got is not representative, but the direction of flavor is a bit off my favorite zone as it has a uniquely aged flavor with a less fruity accent.
Earthy & Spicy
Really nice but have had others by this maker that were cheaper and better.
I purchased this a few weeks ago after wine.com sent a recommendation. My first concern was when I opened the box and noticed a bit of wine leaking from the foil. I opened the wine that night and the cork tried to crumble on me. I managed to get it out clean but expected the worst. I was surprised to find the wine in still decent condition. Silky smooth with a beautiful perfume on the nose. Refined with rose petals and earth on the palate. That being said, based on condition of arrival I probably won't try again. I think I got lucky based on another review from about the same time.
Smooth & Supple
We only opened one bottle, but the cork looked good and it was way past it's prime. I wonder when the reviews were from.
Earthy & Spicy
I'm just getting into wine tasting, my husband and I belong to two wine tasting groups...so with that said and limited experience we really like this one best. Light, smooth,nice finish. I quickly order 3 more and plan on showcasing one in the future.
Smooth & Supple
Seafood
Read Asimov's NY Times Review. The bottle I tried was complex yet mellow and balanced. However, I did not find great finesse and flavors that linger, unless they were flavors that did not appeal to me.
The best wine I ever had from Spain!!!
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GSWArdanza_2001
