2019 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza: 'an exceptional vintage, one of the best in our history'

Traditional Rioja at its best

Viña Ardanza is one of Rioja's most loved bottlings. It doesn't get made every year; La Rioja Alta only release it in better years, which in practice means about 1 in 2. Winemaker Julio Sáenz had no doubts about 2019: it is 'an exceptional vintage, one of the best in our history, concluding an extraordinary decade for Viña Ardanza'. 

This is traditional Rioja at its best. Ardanza is mainly Tempranillo, from steep, high, clay-limestone soils, with an element of Garnacha from much deeper, pebbly soils. It sees long aging in American oak barrels; it is classified a reserva, but the ageing regime means it would also meet the criteria to be labelled as a gran reserva. (But La Rioja Alta prefers to differentiate Ardanza from the gran reservas also in their portfolio). 

Since its first release in 1942, Ardanza has been brought to market in a Burgundy bottle, in a nod to its stylistic elegance. The 2019 marries ripe fruit to supple tannins and the brisk acidity that will underpin its long potential ageing trajectory – though it's very easy to enjoy now. The hedonistic aromas of clove and cherry, tobacco and orange are compelling. /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold. Wines due to arrive Summer 2025. To place an order, click on the wines below or call 020 7638 5998