Viña Ardanza 1986 Reserva

Wine: Viña Ardanza 1986 Reserva
Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and Mazuelo
ABV: 12.5% 

Winemaking
Most of the grapes are sourced from the Viña Ardanza estate in Montecillo, along with small growers from Haro, Briñas, Briones, Villalba, and Labastida. The Garnacha was selected from various vineyards in Tudelilla. Initial fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before transferring to 18,000-liter seasoned oak tuns for 6 months of refining. It was then moved to used 225-liter American oak barrels for an aging period of 36 to 42 months, with a total of 7 manual rackings. It rested for a minimum of 24 months in the bottle prior to its commercial release. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Bottle in perfect condition; impeccable cork. Reddish-ruby of medium-low depth; very clear, translucent, and clean, though with a significant amount of very fine sediment at the base. Reddish and brownish highlights with muted brilliance. Broad, brick-colored rim that blends into the meniscus. Strong sense of viscosity with thick, permanent legs.

 

Nose: A tsunami of tertiary notes that intensify with aeration. Initially bordering on the offensive—reduced and near extinction: antique shop, old furniture, lacquers, sacristy, honeycomb, incense, and racking-room aromas. After several hours of decanting and breathing, it sheds its descriptors of decrepitude, leaving an austere ensemble of overripe fruit, carob, prunes, and toasted notes (hearth, embers). A powerful animal foundation of old leather emerges, wrapped in a bundle of vegetable fibers.

 

Palate: Slightly lacking in strength, with an inconsistent acidity. Light on the palate but generous in form—creamy and vanillic, with some slight alcoholic edges that soften as the temperature drops. It shows an excess of "waist". An Ardanza that demands to be drunk as soon as possible, yet pairs perfectly with hearty dishes like judiones con oreja (large white beans with pig's ear). 

 

Personal Score: 85
Tasting Group Average: 87