2012 La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva

2012 Ardanza is very Riojan in its primary, secondary and tertiary profile. The fundamental fruit is strong enough; the overtones are flowing well. It gives fine drinking now. The structure is superb with delicate balance and tannic texture; the finish is quite long and complex from the old vines, 30 months in aged American oak and subsequent bottle ageing—a modern style.

2012 is from a good vintage, after 2010, 2007, 2004 and 2005. It is also the best-placed Spanish wine on the list of the 100 best wines in the world produced by Wine Spectator magazine and chosen as Best Rioja Wine in the international wines from Spain 2015 competition. Before its famous popular siblings 890 and 904, Ardanza is still underrated. Yet scores are impressive, like RP94, JS95, Decanter 94, and Tim Atkins 93.