La Rioja Alta 'Viña Ardanza' Rioja Reserva 2020
2020, Rioja, Spain
La Rioja Alta 'Viña Ardanza' Rioja Reserva 2020
Tempranillo
La Rioja Alta
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Profile & Story
La Rioja Alta, S.A. was founded in 1890 in Haro's Station District by five Rioja and Basque families, with Doña Saturnina García Cid y Gárate serving as its first president. In 1904 Alfredo Ardanza merged his own winery into the group, and the company adopted its current name in 1941; the estate is known for its patiently aged Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, led by its flagship Viña Ardanza label, registered in 1942. The 2020 Viña Ardanza Reserva blends 80% Tempranillo from 30-year-old vines in the Cuesta (Cenicero) and Montecillo vineyards with 20% Garnacha from La Pedriza in Tudelilla, Rioja Oriental. Grapes were hand-harvested into crates in late September with careful vineyard selection and transported to the winery under refrigeration to preserve their integrity. Following optical sorting, each variety was fermented naturally and separately: the Tempranillo aged 36 months in American oak barrels (20% new) with six manual rackings, while the Garnacha aged 30 months with five manual rackings, before the wine was bottled in November 2024.
Tasting Notes
The wine shows a deep, clean, bright, intense cherry-red color with a garnet rim. Spicy aromas of pepper, clove, and nutmeg mingle with notes of cedar, cocoa powder, and toasted oak. On the palate, firm yet sweet, elegant tannins provide structure and breadth, leading to a long, persistent, and complex finish.
Pairing Recommendation
Roast lamb, red meats, barbecues, large game, spicy fish casseroles, and smoked or aged cheeses.