2001 Spain

Decanter World Wine Awards 2015 – Regional Trophy Winner - Red Rioja Gran Reserva over £15
890 Gran Reserva is a more robust, darker and concentrated version of their other great red, the 904 Gran Reserva.  Named after the date of the creation of La Roja Alta (1890), this 2001 vintage has been lovingly cared for over the past 13 years. Over six years of maturation in 100% New American oak, is followed by some seven years in bottle at the Bodega. Finally released when deemed to be approaching maturity. The oldest vines from the estate are chosen to produce this wine, with a limited production of only 2,600 cases.

The legendary Ygay property is located at an altitude of 500m in the heart of the Rioja Alta. The 2001 is a blend of 93% Tempranillo and 7% Mazuelo. After fermentation in stainless steel the wine has been allowed to age in barrique for 31 months, of which nearly a third has been spent in new barrels. To complement this generous intervention is the natural benevolence of the vintage, which has resulted in 2001 being hailed as great, greater indeed than the excellent years in the mid 90s. This is borne out by the quality of the fruit, the pedigree of the aromas and the length on the palate. Earth, spice and black cherry dance with dexterity over the palate, and there is great finesse and charm on the finish.Just starting to drink, good for a decade or two.
Simon Field MW, Fine Wine Buyer

A perfect ambassador for new-wave Rioja from a memorable recent vintage. There are truffles and wild herbs on the nose and a full, richly textured palate with excellent length. A wine for keeping.

"Price aside, there is no question that the 2001 Aurus, an 85% Tempranillo/15% Graciano blend, is a profound offering. It possesses a fabulously complex nose of black fruits intermixed with truffles, licorice, smoky oak, and flowers. Voluptuously-textured with super concentration,and a finish that lasts nearly a minute, this monumental Rioja should drink well young, yet last for 15 years." 95/100 pts (Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - June 2005)

The years when the Ardanza Reserva gains the suffix Especial are rare indeed; in living memory there have been only three; 1964, 1978 and now 2001. These are deemed, explicitly as it turns out, to be extremely special years and it should come as no surprise that the 2001, even by Ardanza’s high standards, is out-standing.

As usual, this is a blend of 80% of Tempranillo and 20% of Garnacha, the latter high in comparison with the other members of the Rioja Alta portfolio, but lending the characteristic ripe and voluptuous notes which have long made this wine a favourite. The 2001 gives a little extra…extra balancing mineral acidity from the quality of the vintage and extra fine tannins from the 36 months of ageing, both adding further dimensions of excellence.

Tobacco, leather and spice vie for attention with the traditional and not entirely helpful strawberry and cream descriptor, rounded of by deeper more resonant notes to underline the seriousness of intent as the plot unfolds after the early seduction scene.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)