La Rioja Alta, Vina Ardanza Historical Set (1994, 2001 & 2005)

Grape

Carignan

Graciano

Mazuelo

Tempranillo

Tasting Note

Vintage 1994
13% ABV
An excellent vintage. This was 75% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha. Mature, savoury and earthy with a slightly hard edge to the palate. This has a very savoury character with plums, cherries, herbs and a bit of cedar spice. Has some brightness on the finish, with some elegance and length. Drink now, unless this is an atypically aged bottle. 

Vintage 2001
13% ABV
Incredible aromas of flowers such as violets and orange blossom with dark fruits and sweet fruit tea. Full body, very dense and powerful yet polished and refined. Dried fruits with praline and pie crust. Unique wine that everyone should try once, if possible. Very balanced.

Vintage 2005
13% ABV
Deep ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of red fruit preserves, vanilla, mocha and fresh flowers, with a hint of pipe tobacco coming up with air. Sappy and broad on entry, then more taut in the middle, with sweet cherry-vanilla and spicecake flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Closes smooth, spicy and long, with lingering smokiness and fine-grained tannins adding grip. A touch more lively than the excellent 2004 version of this wine and of equal quality, which makes it an outstanding value in old-school Rioja.

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