2016 La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Rioja Gran Reserva [JS95][WA92][WS92]

"The 2015 Viña Arana Gran Reserva, which was a Reserva until 2011, wants to showcase a new Gran Reserva style that combines freshness and joy with intensity, sophistication and aging potential through a blend of Tempranillo from Rodezno with 5% Graciano from Fuenmayor. The grapes were put through optical sorting and fermented in stainless steel for 19 days, and the wine matured in American oak barrels for three years with rackings every six months. This is the classical Haro style of Rioja Claret. They found that some special vintages of this wine behaved like a Gran Reserva, with a style that was closer to their 904. So, they wanted to make this consistent from vintage to vintage, a new a style of Gran Reserva, easier to understand than the 904 or 890. From 2012, the wine changes and they replaced the Mazuelo that was used in the past with Graciano, which they think is a grape very apt for Gran Reserva wines." 

"Supple, smooth tannins give this red an inviting texture, with dried dark cherry, balsamic, leather and smoke notes, layered together with anise, garrigue and black tea details. Complex, with good balance. Drink now through 2031." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"This wine stands out for its intense cherry red color and an elegant maroon rim. On the nose, it uncovers a wide range of red fruits, plum, blackberry and lingonberries seasoned with subtle notes of pastry, coffee, caramel, cedar, vanilla and cinnamon that give it a fruity and balsamic bouquet. On the palate, there is a balance between alcohol and acidity, freshness, with some polished and friendly tannins that give it a refined structure."