2017 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva Vina Arana, Rioja

Deep, savory nose of vanilla, mussels, graphite, iron and black pepper. Vibrant and juicy, with a medium to full body and fine-grained tannins. Lots of energy, with a long, long finish. 95% tempranillo and 5% graciano. Still quite young.

96 points James Suckling (Zekun Shuai)

Viña Arana and Viña Ardanza represent two different sides of La Rioja Alta's Tempranillos. Arana is about structure, a classical expression with perfume from Graciano. A Spanish version of a classed Bordeaux, maybe. Ardanza is a broader and more generous wine, enriched with Grenache - slight leaning towards the Rhone spectrum of tings, if we keep to the French refernce points. The two are expressing two difefret sides of Rioja, and while they may sit within La Rioja Alta's broader hierarchy below the 904 and 890, they share the same philosophy and cooperage (sort of the second wines of a premium Bordeaux). 

The main grape variety is Tempranillo (95%) from Las Cuevas, El Palo and Las Monjas vineyards in Rodezno (loamy soils with high limestone content). This was complemented with 5% Graciano from the Montecillo estate in Fuenmayor (alluvial soils with gravel and small stones).

All grapes were transported in small refrigerated boxes. After a second selection using optical sorting, alcoholic fermentation was carried out at 27ºC for 16 days, followed by natural malolactic fermentation. In March 2018, the best lots were selected to age in American oak barrels (average age of 4.5 years). The wine remained in barrel for three years, with traditional racking from barrel to barrel every six months. The final blend was bottled in January 2022.

Intense garnet color, clean and bright, with a soft cherry-red hue on the rim. On the nose, it stands out for its high aromatic intensity, offering red fruits, raspberry, blackberry and redcurrants, intertwined with balsamic and spicy notes from its long barrel aging: Lebanese cedar, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, mocha and toasted caramel. On the palate, it is very well balanced, with a pleasant acidity that enhances its elegant freshness and smooth, delicate tannins that lengthen its finish. A long aftertaste, marked by the signature freshness of Viña Arana, promising a long and elegant evolution in the bottle.

The 2017 vintage was rated Excellent by this well regarded producer, with wines showing structure and great aging potential. Recommended to be enjoyed at a cool room temperature (16-18 degrees).