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Drink now,
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)
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)
Bodegas R. Lopez de Heredia,
Ready, but will keep,
Viña Tondonia, located in the heart of the Rioja Alta region, is one of the most famous names in all of Spain, its reputation built on a superb terroir of alluvial clay and limestone and a gentle sloping aspect close to the Ebro River. The superlative 2001 vintage has yielded a Reserva of huge charm, wonderful complexity and un-nerving potential.
The wine is made from three quarters Tempranillo with the balance shared evenly between Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. It has been aged for 6 years in American oak, with racking taking place twice every year. A traditional Rioja par excellence, the 2001, marries fruit and spice, charcuterie, vanillin and earthy richness; a cornucopia of quality in other words and one which will continue to get better and better.
Simon Field MW, Fine Wine Buyer
Bodegas R. López de Heredia is one of the wine world’s great treasures. Founded in 1877 by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, the bodega was built close to the railway station at Haro, in Rioja, its location geographically symbolic for proximity of access to the ideas of Bordeaux and practically useful for transportation of both grapes and wines. The quality of the wines is such that they have maintained a plateau of perfection for years.
The wine is made from three quarters Tempranillo with the balance shared evenly between Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. It has been aged for 6 years in American oak, with racking taking place twice every year. A traditional Rioja par excellence, the 2001, marries fruit and spice, charcuterie, vanillin and earthy richness; a cornucopia of quality in other words and one which will continue to get better and better.
Simon Field MW, Fine Wine Buyer
Bodegas R. López de Heredia is one of the wine world’s great treasures. Founded in 1877 by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, the bodega was built close to the railway station at Haro, in Rioja, its location geographically symbolic for proximity of access to the ideas of Bordeaux and practically useful for transportation of both grapes and wines. The quality of the wines is such that they have maintained a plateau of perfection for years.
Ready, but will keep,
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.
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.
Ready, but will keep,
The elements could not have been kinder throughout the growing season and the vines developed beautifully. The ripening process was slow and steady and the fruit achieved an optimal level of ripeness come harvest-time. Such a wonderful alignment of nature’s potentially fickle components gave the perfect starting point from which, with careful management and attention to detail, a wine of great poise and personality could be created. The final blend is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from vines with an average age of 40 years. The ageing took place in 4-year old American oak barrels and it was racked every six months until bottling in June 2006.
The finished wine is a ruby-red which fades to a brick-like orange at the rim, classic Rioja. The nose is intense but fresh and vibrant, with delicate balsamic, spice, red fruit notes and a hint of mocha. The palate is round and structured with sweet tannins and a long-lasting finish to savour.
Nick Stewart - Fine Wine Team
Ready, but will keep,
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
Simon Field MW, Fine Wine Buyer
Ready, but will keep,
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)
"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)
Showing 1-10 out of 10 items
(Laura Atkinson, Private Account Manager)