After selling out of our initial allocation immediately back in August, we are delighted to announce that we have La Rioja Alta's Viña Ardanza Reserva 'Selección Especial' 2010 back in stock!
We believe it is one of the best value for money Reservas on the market and anyone who loves Rioja, will certainly know Viña Ardanza... this legendary wine has been elevated once again with the addition of the term 'Selección Especial', awarded to simply the very best Viña Ardanza. This is no mean feat given that throughout it's 77 year history, only four vintages have been awarded this title: 1963, 1974, 2001 and now 2010.
Many critics are sure that with time the 2010 vintage will become the best Viña Ardanza ever, and my good friend and Technical Director/Head winemaker at La Rioja Alta, Julio Sáenz, told me last year during a private visit and tasting that he considers it to be "one of the best of the century... it is, without doubt, the best vintage I have ever made." High praise indeed....
This will be our final shipment of Viña Ardanza Reserva 'Selección Especial' 2010, so it is your last chance to buy this legendary wine before it moves onto the 2012 vintage. Both James and I have some for the cellar, and we suggest you do too!
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 'Selección Especial' 2010 | £24.99 per bottle
The flagship wine from the property, which in 2010 comprises of 80% Tempranillo from Fuenmayor and Cenicero blended together with 20% Garnacha from the famous 'La Pedriza' vineyard in Tudelilla.
"Dried cherries, cedar, sandalwood, tar, treacle tart, cinnamon and vanilla. Medium body, fine-grained and very silky tannins for a wine of almost 10 years of age, bright and transparent acidity and a long, very spicy finish. Like going back in time and touching an ornate tapestry. The texture is mesmerizing. Drink now."
96/100 points. James Suckling.
"Rioja Alta at its luxurious best. Aromatically it’s all truffle, sweet spices and red flowers, then in the mouth there’s a refreshing note of cherry, redcurrant, acidity. A rasp of tannin gives added interest and there's a resounding finish. The Tempranillo comes from the Rioja Alta zone, and the Garnacha from the La Pedriza vineyard in Rioja Oriental. Three years in American oak, with six rackings. The first Ardanza Selección Especial since 2001, 1973 and 1964."
96/100 points. Sarah Jane Evans MW (Decanter).
"2010 was a great vintage in Rioja in general and seems to be exceptional here, with a 2010 Viña Ardanza Selección Especial (what used to be Reserva Especial) that can challenge any of the recent vintages and hopefully can develop in bottle to reach the heights of years like 1973 or 1964. The wine is expressive, aromatic, very elegant and clean, with classical Rioja aromas of long aging in barrel and slow oxidation through the years in wood. The palate is polished and sleek but shows plenty of energy, with very fine, mostly resolved tannins and very good harmony and persistence. There is great complexity, and you could start smelling spice and smoke to move to earthy tones, hints of beef blood, cherries in liqueur, curry, diesel, old furniture and forest floor. A great Viña Ardanza!"
95/100 points. Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate).
"Shaded transparent ruby with shaded rust-coloured rim. Warm, gentle nose that 's like a cocktail of strawberries, cream and subtle vanilla. Pure traditional rioja that's already giving pleasure but, on the basis of past performance, this is only at the start of a glorious life. Just the right mix of broad, ripe fruit and subtle refreshment. So clean! Dry, refreshing finish. GV."
18+/20 points. Jancis Robinson MW.
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Prices quoted are per bottle, by the case (12x75cl) and include UK Duty and VAT.
Free UK mainland delivery on orders over the retail value of £200 or more, otherwise standard delivery is charged at £15.
