La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva 2020
La Rioja Alta, S.A. Viña Alberdi Reserva 2020 is a classic Rioja made from 100% Tempranillo, showing a bright garnet color and expressive aromas of ripe red fruits such as raspberry, strawberry, and red cherry. These fruit notes are layered with traditional American oak influences—vanilla, coconut, sweet spice, tobacco, and a light balsamic touch—giving the wine a fragrant, inviting nose.
On the palate, it is medium-bodied and fresh, with lively acidity and silky, well-integrated tannins. The red fruit remains at the core, complemented by subtle smoky, cedar, and toasted notes from barrel aging. The texture is polished and balanced, offering both approachability and structure, with a long, smooth finish marked by lingering fruit and gentle spice.
Critics have rated the 2020 vintage in the low-90s, praising its harmony, elegance, and faithful expression of traditional Rioja Reserva style. It is drinking well now but has the balance to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years, making it a versatile and food-friendly choice for dishes like grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and cured cheeses.
La Rioja Alta S.A 904 Rioja Gran Reserva 2016
Critical Acclaim & Scores
Vinous — 97/100
Described as beautifully mature and expressive, showing a sun-kissed profile with clove, licorice, vanilla, caramel, tobacco leaf and bay. The palate is complex, creamy and seamless, finishing with a touch of camphor for lift.
James Suckling — 97/100
A deep, complex Rioja with richness, intensity and complete harmony. Aromas include cigar box, pine, wild mushrooms and fine oak. The finish is long, juicy and hedonistically satisfying.
Wine Advocate — 96/100
Called “spectacular” and a benchmark example of traditional Rioja. Aromas of cigar box, balsamic herbs, dried tea leaves, leather and tobacco. The palate is silky, fresh, structured and extremely long, with polished tannins and excellent aging potential.
Tim Atkin MW — 95/100
A defiantly traditional wine from a cooler vintage. Notes of mocha, Asian spice, ash, tobacco leaf, pomegranate and wild strawberry. Refined, elegant, sculpted and built for longevity.
La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2017
🍷 Tasting Profile: The wine typically shows a complex, layered nose with aromas of balsamic red and black fruits (like cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry) intertwined with spice, vanilla, toasted oak, cinnamon, brioche and subtle earthy or mineral notes from its long barrel ageing. On the palate critics and sellers describe it as medium-full bodied, balanced and fresh, with silky, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and a long, persistent finish that combines fruit, spice and oak harmoniously.
📊 Critics’ Views: The 2017 vintage has been well-received by critics, with most scores in the 93–96/100 range. James Suckling (96) highlights a deep, savoury nose with energy and a long finish, while Jeb Dunnuck (94) praises its classic structure, integrated acidity and gravelly mineral profile. Vinous (94) notes its sun-kissed red fruit, balsamic wood and fine texture, and Wine Advocate (93) calls it harmonious and elegant, a strong performance given the challenging vintage.
📅 Ageing Potential: Critics generally agree the wine will continue to evolve positively with further cellaring. Many suggest peak drinking from the mid-2020s into the 2030s or beyond, with structure and freshness that should support longer-term development.
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza 2019
La Rioja Alta S.A. Viña Ardanza 2019
The vintage is regarded as outstanding, with strong ageing potential.
Colour: Bright cherry red with medium-high density and a classic garnet rim.
Aroma: Redcurrant, plum and cherry layered with balsamic touches and spice notes such as black pepper, licorice, clove, nutmeg and vanilla.
Palate: Fresh, balanced and elegant. Sweet, refined tannins, vibrant acidity, red-fruit purity, hints of cedar and tobacco leaf, and a long, energetic finish.
Critic Scores
Jeb Dunnuck: 96
James Suckling: 95
Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 94
Decanter: 94
Vinous: 93
