Rioja Alta, Rioja Ardanza Reserva Vintage:2001 while it offers less primary

while it offers less primary fruit

the Alpine is positively stellar today

This is one of the finest vintages of Cheval des Andes

I would be inclined to begin drinking this now and over the next 10 years as I fear this risks drying out and becoming astringent if held for the longer-term

less demonstrative than bottles encountered previously and less “sexier”

Rioja Alta, Rioja Ardanza Reserva Vintage:2001 while it offers less primaryBottled 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,