2010 Vina Ardanza, La Rioja Alta

“Dark garnet. Smoke-tinged red currant, dried cherry, exotic spice and floral aromas take on notes of licorice, pipe tobacco and vanilla with air. Shows fine definition and thrust on the palate, displaying sweet red berry, bitter cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes impressively long and silky, with resonating florality, well-knit tannins and a lingering hint of cola.”

“The wine is expressive, aromatic, very elegant and clean, with classical Rioja aromas of long aging in barrel and slow oxidation through the years in wood. The palate is polished and sleek but shows plenty of energy, with very fine, mostly resolved tannins and very good harmony and persistence. There is great complexity, and you could start smelling spice and smoke to move to earthy tones, hints of beef blood, cherries in liqueur, curry, diesel, old furniture and forest floor. A great Viña Ardanza!”