LRA Ardanza & 904

The Medlar, London
Tasted Friday, November 11, 2016 by SimonG with 661 views

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • NV La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva 88 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    A pre-1964 edition from when the vintage didn't appear on the label. Strange wax capsule. Possibly post war. Light to mid garnet. Great condition. Good acidity. Fills out in the glass. The usual trad mix of orange peel and old varnish — Victorian church pews. Fading a little, but showing well and a fascinating experience with plenty of interest. (*)**

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  • 1964 La Rioja Alta Rioja Reserva 904 Flawed

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    A slightly muddy id to light garnet. Hugely acetone-led VA nose. Some sweetness on the attack but its pretty ropey. A pale shadow of a lovely bottle of this last year.

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Flight 2 (3 Notes)

  • 1973 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial 94 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Mid garnet. Orange peel and coffee on the nose. A little mute on the attack and finish, but a bit more on the mid palate. Lighter and a little fresher acidity than the 904s. This fills out well in the glass after fifteen minutes or so and shows really well.****1/2

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  • 1973 La Rioja Alta Rioja Cuvée Centenario 93 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Some discussion as to whether it was 904 or something else, possibly a blend, or even the Arana. I bought it described as 904, and indeed John Gilman suggests it is 904 and possibly a better selection of barrels that would normally have gone in to 890; note 890 was also produced in 73. Anyway, a similar mid garnet colour. Brighter acidity here initially. Relatively light through the mid palate. Finishes well and fills out in the glass considerably over approx. 30 minutes. Showing far more like the 904 now. Lovely. Richness with freshness. ****

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  • 1973 La Rioja Alta Rioja Reserva 904 95 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    A denser mid garnet here. Denser on the nose too. Very coffee mocha. Smooth and mellow with a lovely mid-palate weight. Rounded. More weight than the Ardanza. Gorgeous. Grows in the glass. *****

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

Flight 4 (2 Notes)

  • 1987 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva 92 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Lovely fresh nose. Similar on palate. A touch of orange, but more about the freshness and line. Actually a little more weight and richness here as it opens, but doesn't develop in the glass as the 73/76 did. ****

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  • 1987 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 93 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    More refined on the nose. Similarly bright on the palate. Lovely. Balance between freshness/acidity and a touch of caramel. Lovely balance. Lacks persistence on the finish but lovely up to the mid palate. The lack of finish prevents it being absolutely top flight. ****

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Flight 5 (2 Notes)

Flight 6 (2 Notes)

Flight 7 (2 Notes)

Flight 8 (1 Note)

  • NV La Rioja Alta Rioja Radiante 93 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Half. An old sweet wine, vintage unknown, but judging by the bottle thought to be immediately post-war or thereabouts. Made as a sweet wine. Quite a full dull amber. A touch of caramel on the nose and some old bottle, bottle stink. On the palate this is a rounded and quite padded wine. The sweetness has faded and now manifests as a richness. Not hugely complex but very drinkable and hugely fascinating. ****

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