La Rioja Alta, Rioja Reserva Vina Ardanza 2017

95 points James Suckling
"A more vibrant and fruitier expression of Ardanza this year with strawberries, mussels, warm spices and berries. Round and silky on the palate with lovely spices and a long, nicely saline finish. A nice touch of creaminess works really well here and further extends the finish. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. Drink or hold."

94 Wine Advocate
"2017 was not an easy harvest, but it produced some beautiful and classical wines, like the 2017 Viña Ardanza Reserva, which shows a little more advancement and polish and is ready to drink. It was produced with 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha from their vineyard La Pedriza in Tudelilla. It fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in American oak barrels, 36 months for the Tempranillo and 30 for the Garnacha (that was harvested 15 days later), with six rackings. It's ripe and aromatic, tertiary, with 14.5% alcohol and mellow acidity, a medium-bodied palate and sleek tannins. It has a pungent note of clove and pepper, some licorice and ink and the cherries in liqueur from the Garnacha. An updated classical Ardanza. 600,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2021."

Jancis Robinson
"Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha. Three years of barrel-ageing for the Tempranillo, 30 months for the Garnacha. Aged for a further three years in bottle. TA 5.3 g/l, RS 1.6 g/l.
Pale garnet. Perfumed, lifted and red-fruited. The tannins just melt into the very pretty red-fruit core, which has lots of purity, delicacy and bright freshness. The oak is present but balanced. The finish is earthy, with slight balsamic notes. 17.5+/20 points. (FG)"

Vinous Reverie Notes
80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha. As a Reserva, Ardanza strikes a beautiful balance between youthful fruit and mature complexity. The wine undergoes extended aging in American oak barrels (typically 36 months), developing those classic vanilla, coconut, and spice notes that traditional Rioja is known for, while still maintaining vibrant fruit character. It is primarily Tempranillo with a small percentage of Garnacha from the Rioja Baja, which adds a Mediterranean warmth and roundness to the wine. It delivers extraordinary value, offering the complexity and aging potential of wines twice its price. It's often cited as the gateway to understanding traditional Rioja's elegance and longevity, yet it's approachable enough to enjoy in its youth.