La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Rioja Gran Reserva 2014

- Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, Luis Gutierrez: „The aim with the 2014 Viña Arana Gran Reserva is to find a new Gran Reserva style that combines freshness and joy with intensity, sophistication and aging potential through a blend of Tempranillo with 6% Graciano that matured in American oak barrels for three years with rackings every six months. 2014 was a weaker year in the region, and the wine shows it and feels less vivacious than the 2015 Viña Alberdi. It has medium ripeness and abundant spicy and smoky notes and a medium-bodied palate with a soft texture that points at a wine for shorter-term consumption than the rest of the portfolio or other vintages from this cuvée. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2018.“

- VINOUS, Josh Raynolds: „Limpid ruby-red. Oak-spiced cherry, black raspberry, candied rose, spicecake and coconut aromas show very good definition and pick up tobacco and licorice notes as the wine opens up. Smooth and appealingly sweet, offering sappy cherry cola, fruitcake, coconut and floral pastille flavors complemented by an earthy undertone. Shows very good energy and floral lift on a long, smoky finish framed by velvety, well-knit tannins.“

- 96 Punkte DECANTER, Sarah Jane Evans: „Arana commemorates one of La Rioja Alta's historic families. The Tempranillo (95%) and Graciano (5%) are aged separately in American oak barrels for three years before blending, then for three years in bottle (two years less than the 904, and six years less than the 890). The winery's keynote to this Rioja is 'freshness'. I agree. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030“

- 96 Punkte JAMES SUCKLING: „Lots of mushroom and walnut aromas with plum and leather, too. It’s full-bodied, but very soft and creamy-textured with lots of old wood, mushroom and ripe fruit on the finish. Some chocolate and hazelnut. Complex and gorgeous. Drink or hold.“

Bewertung für Jahrgang 2015:
94 Punkte, TIM ATKIN, Rioja 2022 Special Report: "Graciano helps our Gran Reservas to age," says Julio Sáenz of this blend with 94% Tempranillo. Still youthful, this is a classic expression of the perfumed, American oak-influenced La Rioja Alta style, with notes of coconut and sweet baking spices, fine tannins and refreshing underlying acidity. 2023-30