La Rioja Alta : Vina Arana Gran Reserva 2005
Pre-arrivals - Stock in France
Guaranteed provenanceWines sourced directly from the producing estates
Description
Tasting profile and serving advice for Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2005 from La Rioja Alta
Tasting
Appearance
The color is a medium-depth cherry red, edged with pink and iodine-tinged hues.
Nose
The bouquet shows striking freshness with notes of woody spices, tobacco, and cocoa. Confectionery notes and tea leaves complete this complex aromatic palette.
Palate
On the palate, this wine reveals a perfectly balanced medium body, supported by silky tannins. The finish is majestic and pleasing, marked by a bright acidic lift and a lingering aftertaste that improves with bottle age.
Serving and cellaring
Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2005 is best enjoyed at 17°C (63°F) and can be cellared until around 2030.
A Rioja Gran Reserva with silky tannins and a majestic finish
The estate
Founded in 1890 in Haro in La Rioja, La Rioja Alta remains a family benchmark run by the descendants of the founding families. This growing house owns several hundred hectares of vineyards in Rioja’s most prestigious areas. Renowned for its iconic Gran Reserva 890 and 904 cuvées, La Rioja Alta ranked in 2025 as the world’s 3rd most admired winery.
The vineyard
The grapes come from plots in Rioja, notably Rodezno and Labastida for Tempranillo, and El Palo and Las Cuevas in Rodezno for Mazuelo.
The vintage
The 2005 vintage benefited from moderate rainfall from budbreak through fruit set. Mazuelo produced more numerous, smaller, and looser clusters than in previous years. Harvest began in late September under ideal conditions, with moderate daytime temperatures, cool nights, and excellent sanitary condition of both foliage and fruit.
Winemaking and aging
Alcoholic fermentation of Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2005 lasted 11 days, followed four days later by racking at low temperature. Natural malolactic fermentation took 44 days. Aging took place for 3 years in American oak barrels with an average age of 4 years, with semiannual rackings according to the traditional method. The wine was put into barrel in May 2006 and bottled in November 2009.
Grape varieties
Tempranillo (95%) and Mazuelo (5%).
