Ardal Selección Especial Reserva 2006

Michael rated this wine as 92/100

L.J. Palmer WSET 3 rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This wine has clean fresh fruit tastes and aromas of currants and blackberries with a note of vanilla and baking spice. It is rich round and well integrated. This wine will work well with food or on its own. Always a favourite of mine over many vintages.

Somm4All WSET 3 rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

While the Ribera del Duero region of Spain may not have been widely known before 1980, today it competes with Rioja as Spain’s top red wine areas – this 2006 Ardal Reserva is a prime example as to why. Ruby red in colour with intense aromas of fresh dark cherry, cassis, black plum and just a touch of both anise and tobacco leaf. On the palate, the dark fruit shines through while the 24 months of ageing in French and American oak not only refines the firm tannins, but also contributes notes of chocolate, cedar and whispers of vanilla. Composed of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon this is a full-bodied red wine blend with a bit of “oomph”, however it is remarkably balanced which in turn allows for an elegant and refined feel/finish. This quality at this price almost demands a multi-bottle purchase. Drink now or cellar for an additional 5 to 7 years - harmonious with a well marbled grilled rib eye.

Pam Hatton rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Excellent value wine that has been aged for you! Fresh red cherries and black fruit on the nose with hints of chocolate and spice. Rich, concentrated red and black fruit on the palate with integrated ripe tannins. Finish is long with some mocha and clove.

Sharon Lécuyer rated this wine as 86/100 with the following review:

Aromas of smoke, leather and red fruit. On the palette there are flavours of spice, cocoa, dark fruit and chalk. Lots of tannins here. Pair with red meat.

Tasted November 19, 2017

Sylvain Segard rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon blend (80-20%) is well-structured and reminiscent in style to a feminine Tuscan wine, more than a manly sunburnt Spaniard from the Duero Valley. Deep ruby in colour, this wine has a lovely nose of ripe dark fruits, violets and other wild flowers, and astringent herbs. Abundant juicy acidity with dry balanced tannins. Score 92.
(S.Segard, Reviewed Nov. 19, 2017)

Dan Carkner reviewed this wine as follows:

Dark plum, cassis, and blackberry on the nose with anise, earth and woodsmoke joining in. Vanilla spiked berry compote, florals, and olive shine on a palate backed by grippy tannins in a wine that deserves food. Well caramelized beef shortrib with a cranberry demi glace would do nicely.

Jon Steeves rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Rich and deeply flavoured. Complexity. Balanced. Medium plus acidity, tannins and fruit. Meaty, juicy, textured. Aged leather, plum, savoury, mocha. Paire well with BBQ Steak, beef tacos arrachera. Tasted the 2006 vintage after decanting 2h in Nov 2017. Integrated well. 93 points. #BespokeTastings

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Medium ruby colour with of rich plummy fruit, dark skinned plum, prune, dark cherry, touches of dark chocolate. Medium plus intensity flavours consisting of dark fruit, dark cherry, cigarbox, espresso, clove and sweet spices. Medium plus acidity, full body. Dark and delicious. Pair with smoked sausages and roast beef tenderloin. 91 points. November 2017

Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This is a pleasant blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe cherry and vanilla on the nose and more cherry, with mocha and spice on the palate. Smooth tannins on the finish. Great with barbecued red meats. Tasted November 19, 2017.

Nicole Lewis rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Still much colour intensity on this 2006 Spanish wine - it presents aromas of ripe dark cherry, black berry, cigar box and earth. A refined full-bodied offering with suede tannins and subtle ripe fruit flavour and a long involved finish. I would pair this with medium rare filet mignon and purple fingerling potatoes.
This wine still has many good years ahead of it.

Reviewed on November 19, 2017.

Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Lots of earth, dark fruit, mocha and oak coming through on the palate of this Spanish red. Smooth tannins and a lingering spice on the finish. Tasted November 2017.

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

I am a fan of the Ardal wines - and was pleased to see the 2006 available. 80% Tempranillo with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon added to give it a bit of extra ooomph in the tannin department. Beautiful complex nose; cooked red fruit - blackberries, black plum, smoke, leather and dark chocolate. Grippy tannins that are still pretty prevalent for an 11 year old wine. Long fruit finish. I'll be heading to the LCBO next week to get a few for cellaring. Tasted November 19, 2017.

Caitlin Coleman rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Big mocha and dark fruit notes on the nose with lots of oaky vanilla. Silky smooth tannins and lots of black currant. The value to price ratio is incredible for this tasty Spanish delight!

Simon Chen rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

It's warm, rich, fruits (but not over powering). Medium+ on the body, good weight. Being a 11 years old, this one still has good grip and medium+ tannin

It can probably last few more years in the cellar but it's ready to drink!

Bill rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Cedar or sandalwood weaving through the nose and again on the swallow. Tart cherries. Sophisticated, restrained. A bit of leather. In its perfect drinking window. What's not to love?

Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

(Surprisingly, my first bottle showed cork taint). There are some lovely cherry, cola, violet and vanilla notes on this wine. It is fresh (despite its age), and very aromatic. You would expect more density here but it is very much situated on a light, airy frame. There is a touch of milk chocolate on the finish. 91 Points. (www.ottawawinejournal.com)

Camelia Bucur rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Ardal reserva 2006 is a nice blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon from Ribera del Duero. On the nose there is presence of dark cherries, leather and chocolate. On the palate the cherries become more tart and a bit of spice on the finish. Medium body with great tannins balancing the wine. Enjoy this wine with some great grilled meats.

Heather Wall rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This Spanish red wine of mostly Tempranillo earned 92 points from Robert Parker. I agree! This is a rich, medium+ bodied red wine with earthiness, baked cherry tarts, vanilla and violets. The aromas are duplicated on the palate with baked cherry becoming more like tart cherry, some smoke and toast, and baker's chocolate. A long tart cherry finish to sum it up. This wine is nine years old but still tasting youthful. Excellent BBQ wine for that last hurrah of summer. Still time left in the bottle. Buy 2.
Tasted: Sept 2015