La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2014
Rioja Spain

Style: Red wine – Medium bodied, complex and elegant

Tasting Note: Arana displays intense aromas of redcurrant’s, raspberries, wild blackberries and ripe red plums. These create a complex bouquet alongside the balsamic notes from the barrel: vanilla, cloves, coffee, caramel and brioche. Elegant, vibrant and well-balanced on the palate, with smooth, sweet tannins and a savoury character on the finish. The long maturation has created exactly what La Rioja Alta look for in their Gran Reserva’s: complexity and elegance. To enjoy now, but with a long life ahead!

Grape varieties: 6% Graciano, 94% Tempranillo

Vintage: 2014

Food Pairing: Delicious with Red Meats – Beef bourguignon, Cassoulet, Roast Lamb, Red Meat – Steak & Kidney Pie.

Producer: La Rioja Alta

Formed by five families in the late 19th century, the La Rioja Alta S.A. winery has been among the leading producers who have helped to establish and maintain the classic standards of Rioja. Their Tempranillo-led Gran Reservas, aged for remarkably long periods in barrels from the producer’s cooperage, are some of the most sought-after wines from the region. And while they always upheld standards and tradition, La Rioja Alta S.A. never stopped experimenting and pushing for better quality, offering some of the purest, precise expressions of Tempranillo in the world.

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Bottle Size: 75cl

ABV: 14.5%

Oak: Three years in oak barrels

Organic: No

Vegan Friendly: No

Vegetarian Friendly: No

Sustainable farming: Yes

Residual sugar: To follow shortly

Press/Review: “Old-fashioned Rioja at its glorious best” Tim Atkins MW

“Arana commemorates one of La Rioja Alta’s historic families. The Tempranillo (95%) and Graciano (5%) are aged separately in American oak barrels for three years before blending, then for three years in bottle (two years less than the 904, and six years less than the 890). The winery’s keynote to this Rioja is ‘freshness’. I agree.“ 96 pts, Decanter

“Lots of mushroom and walnut aromas with plum and leather, too. It’s full-bodied, but very soft and creamy-textured with lots of old wood, mushroom and ripe fruit on the finish. Some chocolate and hazelnut. Complex and gorgeous.” 
96 Points, James Suckling

“This wine is one of the most rewarding and classically-shaped wines I have tasted from this property in a long while and the fact that bottles only cost £35 makes this release an even more compelling proposition. […  ]It is the epitome of historic Rioja”
Matthew Jukes

“Quite simply, these are some of the finest Riojas that can grace your cellar: complex, refined, classic but without compromising fruit intensity and to reiterate: wines that speak about where they come from.” Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate

Serving Temperature: 15°C to 17°C