La Rioja Alta : Vina Arana Gran Reserva 1998
Stock currently at the producing estate – Will ship after November 16, 2025
DeliveryFree Home delivery for orders exceeding €300
Description
Characteristics and tasting advice for Viña Arana Reserva 1998 from La Rioja Alta
Tasting
Appearance
The wine shows a medium-depth, clear and bright cherry-red color, with emerging brick hues on the rim that attest to its evolution.
Nose
The nose displays high aromatic intensity, complex and elegant, with ripe fruit aromas accompanied by notes of caramel and toffee that reveal the fine maturity of this vintage.
Palate
On the palate, this wine delights with generous volume and remarkable roundness. Silky tannins harmonize perfectly with the gentle acidity characteristic of this cuvée. The very expansive finish highlights barrel-aging notes recalling coconut and caramel.
Food and wine pairings
This versatile wine suits both aperitifs and elaborate dishes. It pairs particularly well with cheeses, fine charcuterie, as well as fish or meat stews.
Serving and cellaring
Viña Arana Reserva 1998 is best enjoyed at 17–18°C (62.6–64.4°F). Drink through around 2028.
The complexity and silky texture of a Gran Reserva from Rioja Alta
The estate
La Rioja Alta was founded in 1890 in the town of Haro in Rioja by five local families. This family-run house enjoys worldwide recognition thanks to its historic benchmarks, Gran Reserva 890 and 904.
The vineyard
This Viña Arana Gran Reserva 1998 comes from terroirs in Rioja Alta, specifically the municipalities of Rodezno and Labastida.
The vintage
The 1998 vintage was marked by proper budbreak, albeit slightly late, followed by flowering with good fruit set thanks to light rains and steady temperatures. Vegetative growth was satisfactory until late August before slowing in September with the arrival of rain and cooler temperatures. Early harvesting yielded grapes with moderate alcohol and color, while the later harvest, favored by excellent weather conditions, produced grapes richer in alcohol, with deeper color and elevated polyphenols, perfectly suited to barrel aging.
Winemaking and aging
Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Viña Arana Reserva 1998 was aged for 3 years in American oak barrels averaging about 3.5 years of age. During this period, the wine was racked by hand six times. Bottling took place in July 2003.
Grape varieties
The blend consists of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo.
