La Rioja Alta Spanish Red
Haro Tempranillo, aged long past the rules in American oak.
The story behind La Rioja Alta
La Rioja Alta was founded on July 10, 1890 in Haro, in Rioja Alta's Barrio de la Estación, by five grower families from Rioja and the Basque country. Doña Saturnina García Cid y Gárete served as first president. In 1904 Don Alfredo Ardanza folded his own Bodegas Ardanza into the house, and descendants of those founders still own it.
What separates La Rioja Alta is patience and cooperage. The winery builds its own barrels from American oak shipped in as raw planks, racks by candlelight every six months, and bottles unfiltered. Tempranillo leads, with Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha in support. The Gran Reservas sit four to six years in cask plus years in bottle, well beyond what Rioja law requires.
Explore the La Rioja Alta range
The Viña Arana Reserva line here spans vintages, each bottled at 13.5 to 14.5 percent ABV, with Tempranillo and Graciano in the blend.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viña Arana Reserva 96 | Reserva | 27.0 | Mature Tempranillo, dried cherry, cedar, vanilla oak |
| Viña Arana Reserva 94 | Reserva | 27.0 | Red plum, tobacco leaf, fine tannin |
| Viña Arana Reserva 91 | Reserva | 27.0 | Leather, sweet oak, savory finish |
| Viña Arana Reserva 87 | Reserva | 27.0 | Old school Rioja, cedar, dried fruit, acidity |
| Viña Ardanza Reserva | Reserva | 27.0 | Tempranillo and Garnacha, juicy, spiced |
| Viña Arana Reserva 05 | Reserva | 27.0 | Rounder fruit, cocoa, soft oak |
WineLa Rioja Alta - Vina Ardanza Res 750mL$49.98Out of stock
WineLa Rioja Alta - Vina Ardanza Res 1.5L$99.98
WineLa Rioja Alta - Vina Arana Reserva 87 750mL$149.98
WineLa Rioja Alta - Vina Arana Reserva 91 750mL$139.98
WineLa Rioja Alta - Vina Arana Reserva 94 750mL$129.98
WineLa Rioja Alta - Vina Arana Reserva 96 750mL$119.98Out of stock
WineLa Rioja Alta - Vina Arana Reserva 01 750mL$109.98Out of stock
WineLa Rioja Alta - Vina Arana Reserva 05 750mL$99.98Which La Rioja Alta is right for you?
Pricing on the Viña Arana Reserva vintages runs from $99.98 to $149.98, with the 2005 at $99.98, the 1996 at $119.98, the 1994 at $129.98, the 1991 at $139.98 and the 1987 at $149.98. Older bottles cost more because there are fewer of them and the cellar has already done the waiting. Viña Ardanza Reserva is listed at $49.98 in the 750mL and $99.98 in the 1.5L. Stock on several older vintages is limited, so call ahead before you drive over.
Tempranillo and Garnacha, three years in American oak, priced for a Tuesday roast.
Already mature, still structured, a bottle to open now or hold a few more years.
A 1987 Reserva from a house that ages past the rules. Scarce and worth the call.
La Rioja Alta cocktails and pairings
Serve slightly cool, 60 to 65 degrees, and decant the older Reservas 30 to 60 minutes to wake up the cedar and leather.