Who can tell me about the Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial

K

Keith Levenberg

Keith Levenberg
So, I just had the 2001 of this and it is totally awesometastic.

I know from the shelf talker this is only the 3rd time this "Reserva Especial" designation has been used. Where's this sit on the usual spectrum? Is this something less than a gran reserva such that it's best consumed young or is it something extra-super-special such that one should age it forever?
 
Ardanza is so back. It was so good in the 80s and so useless in the 90s.
 
It was neither actually, .sasha - better in the 80s than the 90s, 's all. And the 1999 was almost as good as this '01, which reflects a perfect vintage for the region, similar to the two previous ones (1964 and 1973) for which there was a Reserva Especial. (This is an in-house classification - no regulatory connotations.) Sour cherries and garrigue in a classic, garnacha-tinged Ardanza. Good indeed. For a great, great Rioja Alta currently out there in the market you have to splurge quite a bit more - it's the 1994 890 Gran Reserva.
 
To me is one of the best ardanzas in ages and for around 17 here in Madrid a by the case buy. Just one caveat, and as a high production wine is bottled in lots. All pigs are equal, but some are more oaky than others...

BTW, a 904 1964 that came from the winery was heaven a couple of months ago
 
i dig the 01, but it needs loads of time to let that coconut/dill american wood thing calm down. the '64 904 is one of my all time favorite wine experiences; all balsamic and leather but still electric. you can also wait for the release of the 890/904 from '01.
 
The '98 was horrible, yes. (As were so many Riojas and Riberas...) I'm talking about the '99. Not putrid at all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top