Viña Ardanza 2005 is, with 92 points, the best-rated ' Smart Buy' according to the June 2014 issue of the magazine Wine Spectator, one of the leading wine publications in the world. This wine, made by La Rioja Alta, S.A. with Tempranillo and Garnacha (20%) grapes heads this international selection of nine wines that "deliver fine character at affordable prices and that are broadly available".
The renowned taster Thomas Matthews, Executive Editor of Wine Spectator, describes the Viña Ardanza 2005 as having a "silky texture" and "sanguine flavours", including notes of "dried cherry, orange peel [and] tobacco". In addition, Matthews underscores the "firm tannins and balsamic acidity" of a wine that is "focused and fresh with a tasty finish".
As a result of this, the new 2005 vintage Viña Ardanza also enters the Wine Spectator honour roll. The 2004 vintage of this wine also got the highest mark for value at a tasting of more than 1,000 Spanish wines.