La Rioja Alta : Vina Arana Gran Reserva 2001

Characteristics and tasting advice for Viña Arana Reserva 2001 from La Rioja Alta

Tasting

Appearance
Beautiful cherry-red color with orange highlights at the rim.

Nose
Intense bouquet recalling ripe berries and citrus, on a minty backdrop with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, and toffee.

Palate
Broad and round, the palate charms with supple tannins interwoven with a gentle acidity and persistent citrus aromas.

Food and wine pairing

This Reserva pairs beautifully with poultry, delicately flavored fish, and creamy cheeses with light to medium aromatics.

The richness and aromatic expression of a Gran Reserva from La Rioja

The estate

Established in 1890 in the Railway Station District of Haro, La Rioja Alta remains a family-owned estate now led by Guillermo de Aranzabal Bittner. Renowned for its iconic Gran Reserva 890 and 904 cuvées, this traditional, internationally acclaimed house ranks among the most admired wineries in the world.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Reserva come from the municipalities of Rodezno and Labastida, benefiting from well-ventilated vineyards and exceptional terroir that contribute to the unique expression of this Rioja wine.

The vintage

The vineyard followed a normal cycle, with warm temperatures encouraging rapid vine growth. Fruit set was excellent, although some old vineyards suffered from the heat, reducing yield expectations. Moderate water stress was alleviated by July rains. The mild weather in September and October fostered the vineyard’s perfect sanitary condition.

Winemaking and aging

The wine was transferred in June 2002 to three-year-old American oak barrels, where it aged for three years. During this maturation, it was racked six times using the traditional barrel-to-barrel method. It was bottled in September 2005.

Grape varieties

The blend is composed of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo.