94 points Tim Atkin, MW: "Exactly what a traditional, pan-regional blend of Tempranillo from the Rioja Alta and 20% Garnacha from the Rioja Baja should taste like, this is sweet and aromatic, with beautifully integrated oak, palate-caressing tannins and notes of nutmeg and cinnamon. 2015-24."
94 points Luis Gutierrez (Wine Advocate): "The 2007 Viña Ardanza Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha, the Tempranillo from 30-year-old vineyards La Cuesta and Montecillo in the villages of Fuenmayor and Cenicero, and the Garnacha from old head-pruned vines at 600 meters altitude in Tudelilla, in Rioja Baja, from plots next to their Finca La Pedriza. Those should soon be mature enough to go into the wine (they were planted in 2004 and they will make it into the Ardanza blend from 2007-2008). The grapes are fermented separately with natural yeasts and the Tempranillo then matured in American oak barrels averaging four years old for 36 months, while the Garnacha matured in second- and third-use American oak barrels for 30 months. The nose is very fresh, with notes of beef blood, iron, cherries in liqueur, some subtle leather and spices plus notes of autumn forest and truffles. The palate is more lively and has some tannins that would feel better integrated with some food or a little bit of time in bottle It was bottled in November 2011. Drink: 2016-2027. (Apr 2015)"
93 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "(tempranillo, garnacha). Colour: cherry, garnet rim. Nose: ripe fruit, spicy, creamy oak, complex, fine reductive notes. Palate: flavourful, toasty, round tannins, balanced, elegant. (2016)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "[$37 list] Brilliant red. Lively, oak-spiced raspberry and cherry scents are complemented by candied rose and vanilla, with a smoky mineral topnote providing added lift. Sappy and seamless on the palate, offering juicy red fruit, mocha and coconut flavors plus a suggestion of sweet chewing tobacco. In a graceful, approachable style, finishing with strong, thrust and silky, late-arriving tannins. While this suave Rioja is quite enjoyable now, I'd give it some more time in the cellar so that the American oak is able to integrate with the wine's fruit. Drink: 2019-2025. (Nov 2015)"
91+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2007 Viña Ardanza Reserva from La Rioja Alta is a young and ripe, but excellent bottle of classic Rioja. The bouquet is deep and complex, delivering a fine constellation of baked cherries, raspberries, cloves, a bit of roasted meat, coffee, salty soil tones and toasted coconut. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and plush on the attack, with a rock solid core, a fair bit of backend tannin and fine length and grip on the still decidedly primary finish. The 2007 reminds me very strongly of the 1982 Ardanza when it was young, which aged very well with sufficient bottle age. This is, of course, approachable today, but it is still a fairly primary wine and its true blossoming is still several years down the road. 2022-2055+. (Jan/Feb 2017)"
94 points Luis Gutierrez (Wine Advocate): "The 2007 Viña Ardanza Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha, the Tempranillo from 30-year-old vineyards La Cuesta and Montecillo in the villages of Fuenmayor and Cenicero, and the Garnacha from old head-pruned vines at 600 meters altitude in Tudelilla, in Rioja Baja, from plots next to their Finca La Pedriza. Those should soon be mature enough to go into the wine (they were planted in 2004 and they will make it into the Ardanza blend from 2007-2008). The grapes are fermented separately with natural yeasts and the Tempranillo then matured in American oak barrels averaging four years old for 36 months, while the Garnacha matured in second- and third-use American oak barrels for 30 months. The nose is very fresh, with notes of beef blood, iron, cherries in liqueur, some subtle leather and spices plus notes of autumn forest and truffles. The palate is more lively and has some tannins that would feel better integrated with some food or a little bit of time in bottle It was bottled in November 2011. Drink: 2016-2027. (Apr 2015)"
93 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "(tempranillo, garnacha). Colour: cherry, garnet rim. Nose: ripe fruit, spicy, creamy oak, complex, fine reductive notes. Palate: flavourful, toasty, round tannins, balanced, elegant. (2016)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "[$37 list] Brilliant red. Lively, oak-spiced raspberry and cherry scents are complemented by candied rose and vanilla, with a smoky mineral topnote providing added lift. Sappy and seamless on the palate, offering juicy red fruit, mocha and coconut flavors plus a suggestion of sweet chewing tobacco. In a graceful, approachable style, finishing with strong, thrust and silky, late-arriving tannins. While this suave Rioja is quite enjoyable now, I'd give it some more time in the cellar so that the American oak is able to integrate with the wine's fruit. Drink: 2019-2025. (Nov 2015)"
91+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2007 Viña Ardanza Reserva from La Rioja Alta is a young and ripe, but excellent bottle of classic Rioja. The bouquet is deep and complex, delivering a fine constellation of baked cherries, raspberries, cloves, a bit of roasted meat, coffee, salty soil tones and toasted coconut. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and plush on the attack, with a rock solid core, a fair bit of backend tannin and fine length and grip on the still decidedly primary finish. The 2007 reminds me very strongly of the 1982 Ardanza when it was young, which aged very well with sufficient bottle age. This is, of course, approachable today, but it is still a fairly primary wine and its true blossoming is still several years down the road. 2022-2055+. (Jan/Feb 2017)"
| Product SKU | 326120 |
| Producer | La Rioja Alta |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Varietal | Tempranillo/Tinto Fino |
| Designation | Reserva |
| Vintage | 2007 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha |
| ABV | 13.5% |
| Ships To |
