LA RIOJA ALTA, S.A. Viña Ardanza Reserva 2019 750ml

WA94

Short Description

A classic Spanish Rioja Reserva from La Rioja Alta, S.A., one of Rioja’s benchmark traditional producers. Elegant, complex, and polished, with cherry, redcurrant, plum, raspberry, dried flowers, sweet spice, cedar, vanilla, coconut, balsamic notes, fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a long smooth finish. Perfect with roast lamb, grilled steak, beef stew, roast pork, charcuterie, tapas, mushroom dishes, aged cheese, and Spanish-style dinners. The 2019 vintage is commonly listed as a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha, with 14.5% ABV, and strong critic scores including 96 James Suckling and 94 Wine Advocate, if confirmed for your listing.

Product Highlights

Full Product Description

La Rioja Alta, S.A. Viña Ardanza Reserva 2019 is a classic Spanish red wine from DOCa Rioja, produced by one of the region’s most respected traditional wineries. Viña Ardanza is one of La Rioja Alta’s flagship wines, known for combining ripe Tempranillo fruit, Garnacha spice, American oak ageing, and the elegant savoury complexity that defines traditional Rioja Reserva.

The 2019 vintage is widely listed as a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. Several merchant and critic references note ageing in American oak, with Tempranillo aged for around 36 months and Garnacha for around 30 months, before blending and bottle ageing.

The wine offers a bright cherry-red colour with garnet tones. On the nose, it shows expressive aromas of redcurrant, cherry, plum, raspberry, crushed strawberry, dried flowers, cedar, coconut, vanilla, balsamic notes, black pepper, and sweet spice. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, creamy, balanced, and layered, with fresh acidity, fine tannins, polished oak, and a long elegant finish. James Suckling’s published retail excerpts list this wine at 96 points, describing a rich, layered, spicy, and polished profile.

This is a great choice for customers looking for a premium Rioja Reserva with classic Spanish character, ageing potential, and excellent food-pairing versatility. Serve it with roast lamb, grilled steak, beef stew, roast pork, chorizo, tapas, mushrooms, paella-style dishes, charcuterie, Manchego, aged cheese, and hearty home dinners.

Tasting Notes

Color: Bright cherry red with garnet rim
Aroma: Redcurrant, cherry, plum, raspberry, dried flowers, cedar, vanilla, coconut, balsamic notes, black pepper, sweet spice
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, creamy, balanced, polished, with fresh acidity, fine tannins, red fruit, spice, and oak complexity
Finish: Long, smooth, elegant, spicy, and persistent

Food Pairing

Best enjoyed with:

Roast lamb
Grilled steak
Beef stew
Roast pork
BBQ meats
Chorizo
Spanish tapas
Mushroom dishes
Roast chicken
Paella-style dishes
Charcuterie
Manchego cheese
Aged cheese
Hearty home dinners

Serving Suggestion

Serve slightly cool at around 16°C–18°C. Open 30–45 minutes before drinking, or decant briefly, to let the red fruit, spice, cedar, vanilla, balsamic notes, and Rioja oak complexity become more expressive. Some listings recommend a serving temperature of 17°C–18°C.