Rioja has seen massive changes over the past few decades, but La Rioja Alta has remained true to the course, known for their traditional style and reliably high level of quality. They are simply one of the most classic and iconic wineries of the region, releasing exceptional wines vintage after vintage. For most of Rioja’s history, wines were aged for several years in American oak barrels, leading to savory flavors and aromas such as saddle leather, dried dill, coconut husk and tobacco that are now considered by many to be the classic markers of the region. In recent decades, however, many wineries have chosen to make more internationally styled wines, swapping American oak for French oak or eschewing oak altogether. Additionally, some wineries have opted to leave the Crianza-Reserva-Gran Reserva system, instead opting for their wines to be labelled as simply Rioja. In the face of this change, La Rioja Alta has continued to release wines with extended aging in American oak barrel as well as bottle. In fact, the winery operates their own cooperage to ensure that their barrels are crafted exactly to their standards. The 2019 Viña Ardanza is a testament to this dedication and such a classic snapshot into the history of this storied region! Marching straight out of the glass with aromas of red plum, dried strawberry and a plentitude of dried green herbs (dill, oregano), this wine is a savory explosion of flavors on the palate, all framed by spicy cedar, porcini mushroom and tea leaf. Given the high level of complexity and almost umami-like character of the wine, this is an ideal pairing for barbeque or a simple grilled steak. It also calls to mind autumn and sweater weather, with its dried, fallen leaf undertones – perfect to open for those first, cool evenings of fall!

This has such a classic Rioja nose, there's a lot of black cherry and brambley fruits but also a lot of dill, cigar box, and that sweet touch of American oak on the finish. The palate is surprisingly bright, but still solidly medium bodied, with a great line of acidity rushing through the whole palate and helping to balance everything out in the end. Raspberry and pie cherry fruit give way to tannin and then a long and lingering barrel spice and toasty oak finish. This is such a tasty bottle of wine for the price, a really great wine for barbecue if you want something that will really cut through that fat and grease and compliment whatever you choose to have with it. I could also see this with a fatty cut of steak as an alternative if one was so inclined. While this could lay down, it really doesn't need to, it just needs someone to love it and have it with a little food.