Rioja’s tradition of releasing mature wines to market is one of their greatest gifts to the wine world. At nine years old, La Rioja Alta’s 2015 Viña Arana is brilliantly youthful and the ‘classical Haro style of Rioja Claret’, says the Wine Advocate. From high-altitude Tempranillo and Graciano vineyards, this beautifully balanced red bounces between black cherry, forest greens, oak spice, dark chocolate, and smoky cigar box notes.
‘This is a category that gives wine lovers the opportunity to drink mature wines immediately, often at very fair prices. I can’t think of another region where this is so often possible’, writes Josh Raynolds of Vinous about Rioja’s reds.
The stars aligned in Rioja in 2015. An outstanding vintage, in the league of the great 2005 and 2010s, the quality led La Rioja Alta to produce all three of their Gran Reservas in 2015 – 890, 904 and today’s highlight, Viña Arana. Rich and complex, the intense flavour is perfectly supported by sexy tannins and lively acidity.
The Viña Arana was introduced in 1974, which makes 2024 the wine’s 50th anniversary. It started life as a Crianza but, thanks to the impressive quality that both the vineyards and wines have shown, has blossomed into a Gran Reserva in recent years.
The Wine Advocate calls the 2015 ‘a new Gran Reserva style that combines freshness and joy with intensity, sophistication and aging potential’. These perfectly aged, late-release Riojas are limited, so take advantage while you can!
