2001 Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial

The 2001 Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha from their vineyards in Fuenmayor and Rioja Baja respectively and it represents only the third vintage to be declared after 1964 and 1973. Aged in American cask for 36 months, it has a bucolic, natural bouquet of bright red cherries, balsamic, mint and a touch of dried honey all with superb delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with wonderful delineation and supple, lithe tannins. The acidity is very well judged and it leads to a pert, tense finish of bitter cherry, loganberry and licorice. This is an outstanding wine drinking perfectly now, but it should age effortlessly. Drink now-2030. Aug 2012, www.robertparker.com

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. Drink now. Jul 2017, www.jamessuckling.com

Deep red. Sexy, intensely perfumed bouquet of ripe raspberry and cherry with suggestions of potpourri, sandalwood and vanilla. Shows more power and darker fruits on the palate, picking up a touch of singed plum that adds a serious quality to the sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors without costing the wine any of its vibrancy. The long, sweet finish hangs on with very good tenacity. (I also had the chance to revisit some earlier vintages during my recent visit to La Rioja Alta. The 1995 Gran Reserva 890 is showing superb complexity right now, offering exotic floral and spice character and impressive bright minerality. It's destined for a very long life. The 1997 Gran Reserva 904 is more extroverted, showing a riper, darker cast to its fruit but with finesse to burn. There's no way I'd have guessed that these two wines were a decade and a half old.) Sep 2010, www.vinous.com