1970 La Rioja Alta S.A. Viña Ardanza Rioja [JS95]

Producer: La Rioja Alta S.A.    Region: Rioja, Spain  Varietal: Tempranillo  Year: 1970  James Suckling, 95 Points  "This is a very beautiful old wine with dried flowers and straw, and hints of dried mushroom and tobacco. Full to medium body, fresh and vivid finish. A glorious wine. Mature yet youthful. Unique old wine. Drink now."  Winemaker Notes:  "Classic traditional rich Rioja.  La Rioja Alta's Viña Ardanza has been the wine world's most popular Rioja for several years. It is no wonder, as this is the gold standard for traditional bodegas: a winery that ages their wines the old fashioned way, meaning three years in barrel with two rackings a year, followed by three years in bottle. According to the winery, the blend is "80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha. The Tempranillo grapes come from 30-year-old vines planted in our Viña Ardanza vineyards in Fuenmayor and Cenicero. The Garnacha grapes come from old, goblet-pruned vines planted at an altitude of 600m above sea level in Tudelill