Rioja Alta, Rioja Ardanza Reserva Vintage:2012 tobacco and plum notes create

tobacco and plum notes create the aromatic profile

tangerine peel and essence of spiced pear

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

22% of which were new

As readers will remember

Rioja Alta, Rioja Ardanza Reserva Vintage:2012 tobacco and plum notes createBottled 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,