La Rioja Alta

Haro, Rioja

2017 La Rioja Alta Garnacha de Finca La Pedriza

JUN 18 Not in commercial sale. Ruby. Blueberries, fruity, dark berries, scented, elegant nose, getting ever more floral with air. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, juicy, some morellos, spicy finish, woody. Long. 91

2014 La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva

OCT 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices nose, lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, vanilla, bit bitter, good length. 87

2013 La Rioja Alta Bikaña

OCT 18 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, juicy, lighter, elegant. 86

2013 La Rioja Alta Rioja Bikana Reserva

SEP 18 Ruby. Red berries, anise, light spices, blueberries and raspberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, rounded, elegant texture. 87

2011 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana

FEB 18 Ruby. Blueberries, red fruits and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries and spices, good length. 87

2011 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana

DEC 18 Ruby. Blueberries, some vanilla, light red fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounded and fruit driven, bit light finish. 87

2011 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana

JUN 18 Ruby. Red berries, spices, fruit driven, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, bit plump, good length. 87

2011 La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva

MAY 17 Ruby. Some anise, liquorice, blueberries nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, blueberries, some anise and spices, smooth finish. 89

2010 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

NOV 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, blackberries, exotic spices and vanilla nose, needs air to open. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise and spices, blueberries, juicy with firm texture, long- 94

2010 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

OCT 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, rich and intense nose, blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy, blueberries, spices, detailed, layered and long. 94

2010 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

JUL 19 Ruby, brick rim. Cassis, blueberries with more mature figs and dates notes nose, floral and scented high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, some anise, elegant and nuanced palate with some minty notes, long. 93

2010 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva Seleccion Especial

NOV 19 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, some vanilla and spices, starting out richer and deeper than last bottle, with exotic spices, “calms down” a bit with air, gets more focused. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy, some cherries, spices, pure youth at this stage, long. 92

2010 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva Seleccion Especial

OCT 19 Ruby. Fruit driven, dark berries, blueberries, scented, detailed and floral, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, juicy, elegant and detailed, long finish. A beautiful Ardanza! Tasted at La Rioja Alta just about a week after release. 92

2009 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

OCT 19 Magnum. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, floral, liquorice nose, still youthful and tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, liquorice, blueberries and spices, nuanced and long. 94

2009 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

JUN 18 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, nuanced nose, tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blackberries, anise, spices, elegant, pure youth, long finish. 93

2009 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

JUL 17 Ruby, garnet rim. Blueberries, some figs, dates, light floral note nose, vanilla and spices.. Rubbery note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, softer texture, some cherry stones and cherries, long. Needs 3 hours in decanter or rather ten years plus in the cellar. 30 is likely to go well. 92

2009 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

JUL 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, some vanilla, scented nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and red fruits, elegant texture, long. Slightly tighter bottle. 90

2009 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 

JUN 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, medium intense nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy, fruity, spices, liquorice, detailed, lovely balance. A beauty! 90

2009 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

JAN 19 Ruby. Blueberries, spices, anise, youthful and fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, blueberries, liquorice, elegant, fruity and rounded, good length. 89

2009 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

NOV 18 Ruby. Blueberries, fruit driven nose, light spicy note nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, bit sweet and sour, good length. Drink over the next ten years. 89

2009 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza

JUN 18 Ruby. Red berries, anise, spices, fruit driven and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven, elegant and playful, some red fruits, detailed, long. 90

2009 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Reserva

MAY 17 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, some anise, fruity and bright nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, juicy, lovely balance, red fruity core, blackberries, long. Lovely. 92

2009 La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi

NOV 15 Bright ruby. Dark fruits, blueberries, riper than usual on the nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise, leaner finish. 86

2008 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

DEC 18 Ruby, garnet rim. Blueberries, figs, anise, some spices, liquorice, fairly intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruity core, fresh, fruity, spices, juicy, refreshing, this is quite so charming. Long. 89

2008 La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva

FEB 18 Ruby. Anise, blackberries, liquorice and somewhat scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and liquorice, some spices, elegant. 88

2008 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

MAY 17 Ruby. Scented, dark berries, some anise and spices, blueberries, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, some spices, rounded, fresh, touch of cinnamon, long finish. 92

2008 La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Reserva

APR 16 Ruby. Liquorice, cherries, blueberries, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, liquorice, good length. 89

2007 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

MAY 18 Bright ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruity, spices, anise, elegant if somewhat lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, blueberries, liquorice, there is a slight herbal note in it, long. 90

2007 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

JUL 17 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Floral, scented, violets, blueberries, some anise and spices, detailed, delicate, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, some red fruits and a touch of fruit stones, elegant texture, long. 92

2007 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

MAY 17 Ruby. Dark fruits, blueberries, vanilla, anise, spices, detailed, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some anise and spices, long. 94

2007 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

MAY 17 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Some anise, blueberries, elegant fruit, detailed, playful, nuanced, light floral note, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, anise, blueberries, detailed, elegant, playful, lovely balance. Long. 94

2007 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

DEC 19 Ruby. Maturing nose, just starting dates, cherries, blueberries and spices nose. Lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries and anise, elegant texture, bit light and short finish. 87

2007 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza

JUL 18 Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, blueberries and liquorice with vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries,  anise, spices, good length. 87

2007 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva

JAN 17 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices and blueberries, good length. 88

2007 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

NOV 16 Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices and anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, red berries and spices, good length. 88

2007 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza

NOV 15 Ruby. Dark fruits, liquorice and blueberries, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, somewhat sweet, good length. Slightly dry finish. 88

2006 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Reserva

MAY 18 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Blueberries, some liquorice, lighter nose, touch of minerals beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy if leaner bodied, good length. 87

2005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 Seleccion Especial

NOV 19 Ruby. Blueberries, liquorice, spices, vanilla, touch of herbs, floral and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, spices, liquorice, nuanced, detailed, intense, layered, elegant, needs hours of air to open, long. 96

2005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 Seleccion Especial

JUL 18 57.036 bottles made. Ruby, garnet. Blueberries, cassis, spices, some vanilla, tobacco and coffee nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, coffee, vanilla, spices, long but somewhat narrow finish. 95

2005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

NOV 16 Ruby. Dark fruits, liquorice, vanilla, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, blackberries and liquorice, long. 90

2004 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890

MAY 17  38.000 bottles made. Ruby, garnet rim. Some anise, figs, blueberries, vanilla, some spices, liquorice, touch of prunes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, spices, juicy, blackberries, playful, nuanced, playful, lovely freshness, long. 95

2004 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

NOV 16 Ruby. Dark fruits, some anise, vanilla, spices, blackberries and liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, juicy, elegant finish, long. 93

2001 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial 890

OCT 19 Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, figs, dates, liquorice, blueberries, floral, nuanced, detailed and complex nose, stunning. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red berries, figs, dates, nuanced and layered, superb fruit and balance, my best bottle to date. Served for lunch at La Rioja Alta. 96

2001 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial 890

DEC 18 14280 bottles made. Ruby with brick rim. Scented, floral, violets, some mint notes far back, so seductive and detailed, layered. Sweet dates and figs below. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, playful, lively, brilliant, so refreshing, mouthwatering, detailed, intense and long. 95

2001 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial 890

JAN 16 Ruby, garnet rim. Tight, closed even after seven hours in decanter, some cherries, tobacco, some anise, some leather, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some figs, prunes, blueberries, cherries, refreshing, quite intense before a leaner finish, long. 92

2001 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

NOV 18 Magnum. Blueberries, anise, vanilla, red fruity, some liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, some spices, blackberries, anise, some cherries, blueberries, long. 93

2001 La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva

JAN 16 Ruby. Coffee, some vanilla, liquorice, figs, prunes, faint herbal note far back, quite intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, red berries, cassis, vanilla, lively, quite nuanced, cherries, playful and mouthwatering finish, long. 93

2001 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

JUN 18 Magnum. Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some spices, exotic notes, detailed nose, minerals. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, juicy, nuanced, layered, elegant, playful, long. Superb. 93

2001 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial 

JAN 18 Ruby, thin brick rim. Spices, anise, some iron, dark berries, peppery nose. Fresh acidity, ripe and few tannins, anise, spices, minerals, bit of iron, quite mature, long but narrow finish. 90

2001 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva

JAN 16 Ruby. Red berries, some prunes, blueberries, anise, some spices, light vanilla note, somewhat scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, red berries, some spices, red berries, cherries, some liquorice, bit lean finish. 90

1998 La Rioja Gran Reserva Alta 904

AUG 18 Bright ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, rose hips, liquorice, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, smooth and elegant, detailed, refreshing, bit narrower finish, long. 93

1997 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

JUL 18 Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, warm plums, some figs, dates, blueberries, slightly scented nose, layered. Lovely layers of dried fruits. Anise. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, figs, anise, blueberries, raspberries, elegant texture, long. Proper wild strawberries note with more air. Seductive. 94

1997 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

NOV 16 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Dried fruits, liquorice, figs and blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries and spices, elegant wild strawberry note, long. 89

1995 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890

NOV 16 Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, dark fruits, some floral notes, liquorice nose, blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, spices, fruity, dark berries, juicy, quite open, detailed, red berries and anise, figs, long. 93

1995 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 

DEC 19 Ruby with brick rim. Intense nose, scented, dates, figs, some exotic spices, forest floor, strawberries and faint liquorice nose. Utterly seductive nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins mellowing off, yet a few are still firm, dates, sweet tobacco, figs, blueberries and blackberries, some vanilla, elegant spiciness, long. Superbly charming bottle. 93

1995 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

NOV 19 Topp fill and ruby with thin brick rim. Dried fruits, forest floor, floral, nuanced, exotic spices, faint cherries, more strawberries, figs and dates. Gorgeous nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dried fruits, beautiful fruit and body, elegant and smooth, this is hugely seductive at this stage, long. Perfect maturation in this bottle. Touch of sweet tobacco. 93

1995 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 

NOV 19 Ruby, garnet rim. Blueberries, dates, fogs, touch of wood polish, both youthful and mature at the same time, black tea. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy if fully mature raisins and dates, elegant body ant texture, more alive and more body and intensity than last bottle, long. 92

1995 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 

NOV 19 Ruby, garnet rim. Dried fruits, anise, dates, a more mature bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe and few tannins, juicy palate, cherries, dates and figs, some spices, good length. 89

1994 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

NOV 19 Ruby, brick rim. Completely different to the outgoing and utterly sexy 1995 besides it, the 1994 needs an hour in decanter to get going, more scholarly and correct, more texture and structure, firmer and it takes longer to shine in the glass. Incredibly tight for its age, after two hours more polished but still as correct as a soldier during inspection. Much more masculine than 1995 that is outright feminine and seductive at this stage. Red fruits, forest floor, fine tobacco, nuanced, clear and bright, long. 94

1994 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Reserva

JAN 18 Bright ruby, thin brick rim. Red berries, raspberries, some anise, elegant nose, light floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe and few tannins, red berries, elegant, some raspberries, rounded texture. Not the most complex, good length. 88

1994 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Reserva

JAN 18 Corked. 

1994 La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva

JAN 18 Bright ruby, thin brick rim. Lean nose, figs, dates, very mature nose. Fresh acidity, few tannins, tired, letting go of the fruit. 83

1994 La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva

JAN 18 Corked.

1990 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

SEP 05 Ruby, thin brick rim. Medicinal, figs, blueberries and warm wild strawberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, figs, dates, some spices, long. 92

1990 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

NOV 19 Ruby, garnet rim, excellent cork and fill. Lighter dried fruits, dates, raisins, some spices, fully mature nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy, red fruity, dates, dried fruits, bit leaner bodied, good length. 90

1989 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

NOV 19 Magnum. Ruby cote, broad brick rim. Mature nose, dried fruits, wild strawberries, dates, wood polish, sous bois, tobacco and leather nose. Fresh acidity, hardly any tannins left, dried fruits, sous bois, again lots of the same elements as on the nose, maturing rather quickly in the glass. Long. 91

1989 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

JAN 18 In neck fill. Ruby, brick rim. Anise, some spices, cherries, some blueberries, figs and dates, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, figs, dates, playful, some cherry stones, liquorice, again exotic spices, detailed, rounded yet structured still, long. €38,- 95

1989 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

JUN 17 Served from Riedel Vinum Bordeaux. Ruby, thin brick rim. Figs, dates, tobacco, cigars, sous bois, cherries nose. Fresh acidity, few tannins, anise, figs, dates, liquorice, sweet and sour, cherries and cherry stone, playful, mature, long. 93

1989 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

JUN 17 served from Riedel Veritas Bordeaux. Ruby, thin brick rim. Figs, dates, floral, some violets, sweet tobacco, touch of cedar, more refined nose than from Vinum. More delicate and more layers. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, feels silkier and more gentle, and again more refined, superb balance, elegant texture, another vigor but with more class. The wine feels even more thoroughbred. 94

1989 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 

NOV 19 Ruby with brick rim. Blueberries, anise, dates, figs, elegant nose, maturing beautifully and feels quite a bit more lively than the former bottle. On the palate refreshing and red fruity, blueberries, figs and dates, beautiful texture, all of this beauty before the superb aftertaste that is similar to the touch corked one below. Lovely. 91

1989 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 

NOV 19 Ruby with broad brick rim. This smells very earthy, wood polish and dried fruits, lots of teak. It is not the smell that impress with this one. Or at least this bottle. Fresh acidity, soft and gentle wood polish palate, red fruits, dates and liquorice, and as soon as you swallow and incredible forest floor, sweet and sour ripe cherries, wild strawberries, liquorice with an outstandingly bright and mouthwatering expression hits the palate. That aftertaste is 95 points on its own, it is incredible, but as a whole there are a few pitfalls, not huge, but they deduct. Tiny cork with air, but it took a while to appear even if it was very mature, but it vent dirty after a while. 89 at its best. 

1987 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890

AUG 18 Garnet, brick rim. Some figs, dried fruits, some anise nose. Floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, red berries, anise and spices, touch dry, long. 90

1985 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

DEC 18 Magnum. Light of figs and dates nose, earthy, very mature.  Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dried fruits, light red fruity core, some anise and cherries, good length. But always on the lean side. 86

1981 La Rioja Alta (Gran) Reserva 904

JAN 18 Very top shoulder fill, soaked cork. Bright ruby mid core, broad brick rim. Note, Reserva on the label and back label but a label over the foil by the Consejo Regulador states Gran Reserva as well as the text on the back label. Figs, dates, some spices, light mint, cherries, violets, nuanced, elegant nose. Some red berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, figs, dates, elegant texture, some wild strawberries, delicate and detailed, nuanced, smooth and long. €65,- in a shop in January 2018. 94

1978 La Rioja Alta (Gran) Reserva 904

JAN 18 Bright ruby core, brick rim. Earthy nose, funky. Lean palate, some figs and dates. 82

1975 La Rioja Alta (Gran) Reserva 904

FEB 18 Low neck fill. Bright ruby, thin brick rim. Cherries, mahogany, wild strawberries, spices, touch of acetone. Fresh acidity, light, delicate, red berries, prunes, anise, some sweet and sour, cherry stone finish. Fairly tender, long. 91