Vina Arana Reserva 2011

Lobenberg: Der eleganteste Wein der von Rioja Alta. Fruchtig und blumig, fast berauschend, 3 Jahre im Fass, zwei Jahre in der Flasche, eine Stilistik wie Tondonia oder ein kleiner Vega Sicilia in Ribera, toller Erfolg für kleines Geld! 93+/100

-- Tim Atkin: Made, as it nearly always is, from Tempranillo with 5% Mazuelo, all from Rodezno, this sees 100% older American wood. It has more zip and focus than the Alberdi from the same winery, with impressive underlying structure, savoury bramble and red cherry fruit and classic Rioja Alta sweetness. 94/100

-- Suckling: --Suckling: A rich and very creamy wine with vanilla and toasted oak. Very flavorful, rich and beautiful. Full body, round tannins and a delicious finish. Decadent. Traditional Rioja style. Drink now. 93/100

-- Falstaff: --Falstaff: Auffallend hell in der Farbe. Feine, rotfruchtige Aromatik mit Nuancen von Zigarre, Vanille und Zedernholz. Am Gaumen überaus elegant und fein austariert mit präsenter Frische, reifen Tanninen und lebendigem Abgang. 92/100

-- Parker: The sleek and polished 2011 Viña Arana is mostly Tempranillo with 5% Mazuelo from vineyards in Rodezno and Labastida. The destemmed and crushed grapes fermented in stainless steel followed by a slow malolactic. The wine matured in used, neutral American oak barrels for three years. It's very balsamic, possibly from the extended élevage, with aromas of cigar ash, incense, noble woods, vanilla and cocoa. The palate is polished, with resolved tannins and nice, integrated acidity. 150,000 bottles produced. It's been in bottle since July 2015. They uncorked a bottle of the 1985, and the wine was lively with a developed nose, great complexity and a velvety palate. It's a wine that ages very well. 91/100