La Rioja Alta : Vina Arana Gran Reserva 2012

Wine Advocate-Parker :
2012 was an unusual vintage in Rioja, as it was warm and dry, but the wines are fresher than those from 2011. Th 2012 Viña Arana Gran Reserva shows that character, as it's ripe and has concentration but is quite balanced. There are some creamy notes and plenty of underbrush, wet forest floor, spice and smoke, very recognizable as Rioja. It's clean, aromatic and open. Very pleasant and approachable, with enough grip to stand up to most foods. This is already a Gran Reserva. 80,000 bottles produced from 267 barriques, where the wine matured for three years.