La Rioja Alta Reserva Viña Ardanza 2019

Dark cherry, dried herbs, balsamic and a nudge of black pepper, the 2019 Ardanza is a textbook blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha from Rioja Alta, doing what this label has always done well. Medium-full in body, with smooth tannins that still carry enough grip to give the wine shape. Good freshness threads through the mid-palate, keeping the fruit-forward profile from feeling heavy. A sapid, gently lingering finish. Accessible now, but give it two to four more years and it will find even greater composure.