La Rioja Alta “Vina Ardanza” Rioja Reserva 2017

80% Tempranillo (30-year-old vines), 20% Garnacha ("old vines"). Limestone-heavy vineyards in high-altitude, cooler climate Rioja Alta region make for intense and minerally reds. The 2016 vintage is oak-heavy with muddle fruits of dried plums, ripe cherries, charred meat, dry Indian spices, umami, bitter chocolate, pomegranate, leather. Three years in lightly used American oak adds flavors of coconut and dill.