La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva (2017)

Viña Ardanza Reserva 2017 is made from Tempranillo grapes (80%) from vines over 30 years old that grow on the La Cuesta and Montecillo estates in Fuenmayor and Cenicero. The Garnacha (20%) comes from La Pedriza in Tudelilla (Rioja Oriental), an estate with optimal conditions for cultivating this grape variety: very poor pebbly soil that yields a Garnacha packed with rich aromas and with a refined structure.

The 2017 grape harvest was marked by the historic frost of 28 April that affected some of the winery’s vineyards, but not those located in Cenicero (Tempranillo) and Tudelilla (Garnacha). Although a smaller than usual quantity of Viña Ardanza Reserva was made, ripening was perfect, making it possible to design a red with superb freshness and ageing potential owing to its high polyphenolic content.

The grapes were harvested by hand in crates and the bunches were sorted at the vineyard. They were transported to the winery in refrigerated containers and underwent optical sorting. After fermentation, the wines were aged separately: the Tempranillo for 36 months and the Garnacha for 30, both in American oak casks crafted by the winery. Twenty percent were made of new oak and the rest were three-use. Racking was carried out five times in candlelight to separate the sediments manually and avoid aggressive filtering.  

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