2012 Vina Arana Gran Reserva

Dark ruby. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes spice-tinged dark fruit preserves, potpourri, vanilla and incense, and a smoky mineral overtone builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering weighty blackberry, cherry-vanilla and spicecake flavors that turn spicier with air. Shows excellent precision on the persistent finish, which features sweet dark fruit liqueur and floral elements and harmonious tannins.

Brambleberries, licorice, dried blueberries, cedar, tobacco, smoke, vanilla, dried citrus and even a hint of grapefruit. The lazer-sharp acidity evinces a real sense of purity, and the tannins are really edgy and structured. Full-bodied but very elegant and stylish. The finish goes on and on, thanks to the shimmering acidity. Beautiful now, but better in 2024.

2012 was an unusual vintage in Rioja, as it was warm and dry, but the wines are fresher than those from 2011. Th 2012 Viña Arana Gran Reserva shows that character, as it's ripe and has concentration but is quite balanced. There are some creamy notes and plenty of underbrush, wet forest floor, spice and smoke, very recognizable as Rioja. It's clean, aromatic and open. Very pleasant and approachable, with enough grip to stand up to most foods. This is already a Gran Reserva. 80,000 bottles produced from 267 barriques, where the wine matured for three years.