Rioja Alta, Rioja Ardanza Reserva Vintage:2012 textural density and general ripeness

textural density and general ripeness on display in this wine

As readers will remember

The medium-bodied palate delivers supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity

a touch of asparagus gives the wine a greenness in the middle palate but there's also plenty of supporting dark fruit and graphite minerality

Rioja Alta, Rioja Ardanza Reserva Vintage:2012 textural density and general ripenessBottled December 2008. 80% Tempranillo (aged in 4 year old American oak for 36 months) and 20% Garnacha (aged in 2 to 3 year old American oak for 30 months). Dark cocoa scents plus Morello cherry and blackberries. Chewy, substantial palate with aromatic oak on the long finish. This is bold but beautiful, with oak and fruit in superb balance. Its not just the complex flavour range and superb persistence that marks this wine, but the effortless,