La Rioja Alta: first time trying this famous Rioja! Decanted and drank over about 3 hours. To be honest I was a little disappointed compared to some other Riojas I’ve had (Tondonia reserva 2011 and Coto de Imaz gran reserva 2016). Would be interested to hear other people’s experience or opinions with Ardanza reserva 2016.
Notes: nose of cherry leather and vanilla. On the palette, acid is a bit too strong for me, while the tannins are present and somewhat pleasant but not as fine and dusty as some riojas I’ve had. Fairly hot. Medium plus ish body. Palette of cherry, earth, vanilla, leather, maybe a little tobacco smoke. After about two hours the acid mellows out slightly and more dark fruits start to creep in. Overall, feel it’s lacking some of the dusty dirty earthiness on the palette and structure that I love about Rioja.
Suduiraut: I’m a sucker for Sauternes and this one was delicious. All the usual Sauternes notes you might expect: Honey stone orange apricot marmalade. Hints of apple, ginger, lime, caramel. Compared to some other Sauternes I’ve had, a bit more apple/stone fruit and citrus (powerful orange notes with some lime on the finish). Very syrupy. Lacking early acid, to the point of nearly feeling “flabby”, but it kicks in toward the back of the mouth.
by whiteyspidey
4 Comments
Yup there was another post about the ardanza 2016 a few weeks ago in which I and a few others commented on being disappointed with. Tondonia is really very good though so a little unfair comparison, it’s more like the gran reserva 904 from LRA.
It’s been disappointing reading notes of the 2016 Ardanza. I’ve absolutely loved other vintages of that wine and always thought it punched above its price point.
You shouldn’t a killed him. He’s just a boy!
I’ve had the 06 and the 15 recently. The 06 drank well but probably just outside the drinking window. The 15 was absolutely beautiful, inviting nose and awesome mouth feel.