The renowned traditionalist Rioja producer La Rioja Alta, has decided to make a change to one of their bottlings. Their Vina Arana Reserva, a personal favorite of mine, will be bottled as Gran Reserva starting with the 2012 vintage.

What does this entail besides a label change? Two new factors will come into play; first, the 5% Mazuelo typically used in the blend will be replaced with 5% Graciano for its aging potential, second, the price is going way up! Really that is all that is changing, for Vina Arana has always been vinified and aged as a Gran Reserva, just not marketed as such.

I am excited to taste the new Vina Arana in the coming months, but I am also sad to see one of my favorite bargains in the wine world change. If you are a fan of this under the radar classic Rioja, like I am, then I suggest stocking up on the 2011. The wine is drinking beautifully and will only improve over time, it is also at a price that will not be seen again.

La Rioja Alta was formed in 1890 as a partnership of 5 quality-conscious growers keen to exploit the export potential for well-made Rioja. At this time, French vineyards were ravaged by phylloxera, and connoisseurs were having to look elsewhere for supplies of fine wine. Rioja, with its excellent climate and soils, had already attracted attention and experiments with Bordeaux-style vinification and barrique-aging were proving very successful.

La Rioja Alta’s wines are still crafted in the traditional Rioja manner. The bodega is adamant about not using French oak, keeping the unique Rioja style which has been developed since the end of the 19th century. In spite of the varying amount of time in cask and bottle the wines all display a wonderful rich ruby colour, gorgeous aromas of oak, spices and fruit followed by a sensational feel on the palate, with a wonderful smooth texture, clean rich oaky/fruity flavours and a long lingering finish.

La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Reserva Rioja 2011

Shelf Price $29.99
Sale Price $26.97

93 pts James 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

91 pts Wine Advocate
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.