La Rioja Alta. Arguably consistently the best producers in Rioja. I’ve worked with these wines as a Wine Professional for years and now I’m beyond excited to have a vehicle to introduce them to clients.

Although all of the La Rioja Alta wines are spectacular, year after year my favourite has always been the stunning Viña Ardanza.  Also this vintage, 2010, is one of the few vintages deemed to be exceptional enough to bear the title “Seleccion Especial”. It’s not technically a Gran Reserva but LRA believes in exceeding all aging minimums (the Tempranillo is aged for about 4 years before being blended with the 20% Grenache component) so it almost could be, making it even better value. It’s a traditional Rioja, aged in American Oak, and a very classic example of the wine. It ages incredibly well but is also ready to drink right away (which is usually what I do, lol).

Scores:
95 Points Wine Advocate, 96 Points James Suckling, 95 Points Tim Atkin, 94 Wine Spectator, 94 Points Peñin.

Tasting Notes include: “Medium-high intensity, garnet–red with a cherry rim. The nose stands out for its fresh, spicy character, with hints of sweet cherries, redcurrants and ripe strawberries assembled with notes of black pepper, sweet liquorice, nutmeg, coffee, mocha and cinnamon. Intense and well-balanced in the mouth, with a soft freshness, nice structure, and delicately elegant tannins. Silky finish, with a good aftertaste, where sweet red fruit and balsamic notes give it a broad ending.