It was fermented in stainless steel tanks for 17 days, with the grape stems removed. The two components then undergo separate aging processes in American oak barrels made at the winery's own cooperage: Tempranillo for 36 months and Garnacha for 30 months, with 20% of the Garnacha barrels being new oak. Blending takes place immediately before bottling to fully preserve the vibrancy of the Garnacha and prevent it from being dulled by the full 36 months of oak aging.
The 2019 growing season was warm and dry across the entire Rioja region, with below-average rainfall. A wet and windy flowering period cut yields early, and both the berries and clusters were smaller than in the previous year. Smaller berries mean a higher skin-to-juice ratio, which is clearly evident in this wine: it is spicy, structured, and intense, with a standard alcohol content of 14.5%, a pH of 3.54, and an acidity of 5.5 g/l. Rioja's Control Board rated this vintage as excellent.
Best enjoyed through 2034.
Robert Parker (94)
No 2018 was produced, so after the 2017 I tasted last year, we jumped to the 2019 Viña Ardanza Reserva, produced with a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. It fermented destemmed in stainless steel and aged in American oak barrels, 36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 months for Garnacha, and was blended before bottling. 2019 is a very good year for them, a small crop of powerful and concentrated wines when they produced all their brands, an exception. This is spicy, structured, balanced and powerful in this warm year, reaching the customary 14.5% alcohol and keeping a pH of 3.54 and 5.5 grams of acidity. It's still very young and undeveloped, with the classical profile, generous in American oak aromas and flavors that should slowly integrate in the wine with years in bottle. For them, 2019 means a change in Ardanza, less spicy (but still quite spicy, with clove, vanilla and tobacco leaves) and with more fresh fruit from the Garnacha. But the year is a modern version of 2015.
Vinous (93)
The 2019 Reserva Viña Ardanza is a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha from Rioja Alta. Its bouquet opens with cherry liqueur, black fruit and balsamic herbs alongside a touch of pepper. Dry, silky and just fresh enough, it offers good body with agility, polished tannins and a velvety feel. The long, sapid finish continues with gentle grip. This is balanced and expressive—a classic Rioja with a modern, fruit-driven flourish.
Decanter (94)
A super-classic and great interpretation of Rioja reserva, this offers all the appealing sweet red berry fruit and American oak with serious struture and balance. Soft and inviting, this is surely a reference for reserva wines in the region. A blend of 80%Tempranillo – from two vineyards in Fuenmayor and Cenicero, northern Rioja Alta – and 20% Garnacha from Tudelilla in Rioja Oriental, a 17-day fermentation was followed by ageing in American oak barrels from the producer's own cooperage: 36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 months (in 20% new) for the Garnacha. Bottled in December 2023.
