Ardanza Reserva 2020 La Rioja Alta

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (94)

The subtle, balsamic, structured and elegant 2020 Viña Ardanza Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo from Rioja Alta and around 20% Garnacha from Rioja Baja. It fermented destemmed in stainless steel and aged in American oak barrels, 20% of them new, for a period of 36 months in the case of the Tempranillo and 30 months for the Garnacha, then the two wines are blended before bottling. It's a textbook example of the label, with the perfume and elegance of the Garnacha and the clout from Tempranillo. It has clean aromas and is still quite fresh, only starting its tertiary phase. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol and keeps a pH of 3.57 and 5.7 grams of acidity. It's balanced, seamless and well-built, and its tannins are mostly resolved. It should live long in bottle. 500,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2024.

Vinous (92)

The 2020 Viña Ardanza (80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha) spent its first year in new oak and its second in seasoned barrels. More defined and brighter than the 2019, the nose shows red berries and a balsamic lift, framed by more restrained oak. On the palate, it is fine-grained and gently firm, still youthful, with slightly reactive tannins. It sits between the house’s classical style and a more primary, fruit-forward expression. With time, it will gain integration and precision.