La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Gran Reserva (2015)

The blend consists of 95% Tempranillo from 40-year-old vines in Las Cuevas, El Palo and Las Monjas in Rodezno, complemented with 5% Graciano from the Montecillo estate in Fuenmayor. The Graciano gives the wine an aromatic intensity and acidity, to carry the structure and elegance of the Tempranillo. The grapes are vinified separately in three-year-old American oak for three years, and racked as few times as possible. After blending, it was given a further three years in bottle to mature. 

The wine was named after one of the families that have long been at the helm of La Rioja Alta, a company founded in 1895. This wine will replace the original Arana Reserva, whose last vintage was 2011, and will only be made in vintages that meet the winemaker’s high standards.  

 "High aromatic intensity, with outstanding notes of ripe red fruit, red berries, wild strawberries and plum jam, leading to tertiary aromas from meticulous aging in oak: vanilla, cedar, tobacco, coffee, caramel and sweet patisserie notes. Balanced, with soft, flavoursome tannins. Elegant, complex finish, where the ripe red fruit and balsamic notes provide a splendid end."  Julio Saenz, Winemaker

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