In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, dried herb, cedar, tobacco
Palate: savoury red fruit, fine tannin, spice, leather
The historic Reserva expression of Vina Arana before its Gran Reserva relaunch: elegant, savoury and fresh, the lighter classical counterpoint to Ardanza.
What it pairs with
-
Cordero asado al sarmiento
Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat. -
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A thick aged-beef chop over embers meets the wine's savoury oak and grip. -
Jamon iberico
Cured Iberian ham echoes the wine's dried-cherry and leather register.
How to serve Vina Arana Reserva
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cordero asado al sarmiento, Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Jamon iberico. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Vina Arana spent decades as the house's more elegant Reserva before being relaunched as a Gran Reserva.
- 1976 — Vina Arana Reserva established as the elegant house Reserva
Facts
- Producer
- La Rioja Alta S.A.
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (95%), Mazuelo (5%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 3 years in American oak
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 20 to 32 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1976
Scores
- Tim Atkin 92 (2010 vintage, reviewed 2018)
Frequently asked about Vina Arana Reserva
What does Vina Arana Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red cherry, dried herb, cedar, tobacco. On the palate, savoury red fruit, fine tannin, spice, leather. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The historic Reserva expression of Vina Arana before its Gran Reserva relaunch: elegant, savoury and fresh, the lighter classical counterpoint to Ardanza.
When should I drink Vina Arana Reserva?
Drink 5 to 18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Vina Arana Reserva?
Cordero asado al sarmiento is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey a la brasa and Jamon iberico. Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat.
Is Vina Arana Reserva vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Vina Arana Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (95%), Mazuelo (5%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.