95 points James Suckling: "Traditional and beautiful in character with plum, balsamic, orange-peel and leather aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with creamy texture and a long, intense aftertaste. Drink or hold. (10/13/20)"
94 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "Garnacha is an important component in the 2012 Viña Ardanza Reserva, where it represents 20% of the blend (the rest is, of course, Tempranillo). 2011 was a difficult vintage for Garnacha, so Viña Ardanza was not produced that year and they jumped from 2010, which had the mention "Selección Especial," to 2012, where it returns to the regular Reserva. The wine is a prototype of polished and aged Rioja with a ruby color with some orange and a developed nose with subtle aromas of decayed leaves, sweet spices and some cherries in liqueur even, quite complex and harmonious. The palate is velvety but rich, with resolved tannins and a fine chalky mouthfeel, sleek and elegant, terribly balanced. The flavors are pure and defined, and there is an overall sense of harmony that I like very much. Brilliant Ardanza! They produced no less than 600,000 bottles of this wine, which is remarkable. It has been in bottle since March 2016, so it's very approachable but should also age nicely in bottle. Drink or keep. Drink: 2020-2030. (Oct 2020)"
94 points, 'Best Spanish Red Wine of 2020,' Decanter: "Warming, nutty, complex Rioja with layers of fruit and a softness of dark cherry fruit on the palate. Soft tannins and elegantly poised with a long, savoury finish. Drinking Window: 2021-2030. (Oct 2020)"
93 points Tim Atkin, MW: "(14.5%). Produced in what was very much a Mediterranean vintage, this is a nicely evolved, forward. Ardanza that's a delight to drink now. Featuring the customary duo of Tempranillo and 22% Garnacha, from the Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental sub-regions, respectively, it has tobacco and coconut aromas and a core of sweet, spicy summer pudding fruit. 2021-25. (2021)"
94 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "Garnacha is an important component in the 2012 Viña Ardanza Reserva, where it represents 20% of the blend (the rest is, of course, Tempranillo). 2011 was a difficult vintage for Garnacha, so Viña Ardanza was not produced that year and they jumped from 2010, which had the mention "Selección Especial," to 2012, where it returns to the regular Reserva. The wine is a prototype of polished and aged Rioja with a ruby color with some orange and a developed nose with subtle aromas of decayed leaves, sweet spices and some cherries in liqueur even, quite complex and harmonious. The palate is velvety but rich, with resolved tannins and a fine chalky mouthfeel, sleek and elegant, terribly balanced. The flavors are pure and defined, and there is an overall sense of harmony that I like very much. Brilliant Ardanza! They produced no less than 600,000 bottles of this wine, which is remarkable. It has been in bottle since March 2016, so it's very approachable but should also age nicely in bottle. Drink or keep. Drink: 2020-2030. (Oct 2020)"
94 points, 'Best Spanish Red Wine of 2020,' Decanter: "Warming, nutty, complex Rioja with layers of fruit and a softness of dark cherry fruit on the palate. Soft tannins and elegantly poised with a long, savoury finish. Drinking Window: 2021-2030. (Oct 2020)"
93 points Tim Atkin, MW: "(14.5%). Produced in what was very much a Mediterranean vintage, this is a nicely evolved, forward. Ardanza that's a delight to drink now. Featuring the customary duo of Tempranillo and 22% Garnacha, from the Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental sub-regions, respectively, it has tobacco and coconut aromas and a core of sweet, spicy summer pudding fruit. 2021-25. (2021)"
| Product SKU | 337234 |
| Producer | La Rioja Alta |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Varietal | Tempranillo/Tinto Fino |
| Designation | Reserva |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 78% Tempranillo, 22% Garnacha |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
