La Rioja Alta S.A. 2012 'Viña Ardanza' Rioja Reserva, Rioja, Spain

Varieties: Tempranillo 78%, Garnacha 22% 

Farming: Sustainable

Terroir: 30 year old vines; nutrient-poor soil, covered with boulders from the Cuesta (Cenicero) and Montecillo (Fuenmayor) vineyards.

Vinification: he grapes were harvested manually in mid-October and transported to the winery in refrigerated vehicles. Alcoholic fermentation took place spontaneously. Malolactic fermentation concluded at the end of the year.

Aging: In March 2013, the selected wines were put in barrels to start ageing separately; the Tempranillo for 36 months with six manual rackings, in American oak barrels averaging 4 years in age and the Garnacha for 30 months with five manual rackings, in barrels with two and three wines. The final blend was bottled in March 2016.

Tasting notes: Medium bodied, with aromas of black pepper, sweet licorice, nutmeg, coffee, vanilla and cinnamon. Bright and acidity and integrated tannins round the long finish.