2008 La Rioja Alta Rioja Vina Ardanza Reserva

Bottled March 2013. 80% Tempranillo (aged in 4-year-old American oak for 36 months) and 20% Garnacha (aged in 2- to 3-year-old American oak for 30 months). Very similar vintage conditions to 2001, which promoted Ardanza to Reserva Especial status – but they decided to keep this as ‘basic’ Reserva because 'the next Especial has to be better than 2001'. First vintage that the fruit has been 100% estate grown. The Garnacha comes from the 100 ha Pedriza vineyard, which has very rocky soil. Smoky, compact, coconut and tea-leaf. Chewy tannin, meaty character on the palate, bright and vibrant – shimmering acidity. Still dense yet not over-extracted – has typicality without cliché – exemplary. (RH)

Aromatic nose of dried strawberries and flowers follows through to a full body, soft and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Opulent and delicious yet refined. Drink now.

Vintages for Viña Ardanza seem to be going fast. It seems like yesterday that the 2001 was released and now the 2008 Viña Ardanza is already here. This is the first vintage when they have been able to use the fruit from their new Garnacha vineyards in the village of Tudelilla (Rioja Baja), La Pedriza, which represents 20% of the blend complementing the majority of Tempranillo. The wine was put in barrel in March 2009, separately; the Tempranillo was in four-year-old barrels for 36 months with six rackings, and the Garnacha in second and third use barrels for 30 months with five rackings. Vintages might go fast, but the wine does not feel too young, which was my fear. There are notes of stewed meat, cured leather, cloves, other spices and an overall balsamic character. The palate feels solid, consistent, nicely built, with abundant tannins and good balancing acidity. This should stand up to food and be able to develop in bottle. No less than 600,000 bottles are produced. I tasted from a bottle from March 2013.