Grupo Olarra Anares Gran Reserva 2010 750ml

Product Info

91pts Vinous
(fermented and aged in American oak barrels of varying size for two years) Deep, bright-rimmed red. Displays aromas of ripe red and dark berries, pipe tobacco and peppery spices, with subtle licorice, vanilla and floral pastille nuances adding complexity. Smoky, deeply pitched blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are sharpened by mineral and cracked pepper notes that add lively back end cut. Dusty tannins shape the finish, which shows very good energy and lingering florality. Drinking Window 2019 - 2029  - By Josh Raynolds on February 2019

Terroir
Sourced from older vineyards across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, Anares Gran Reserva 2010 is anchored in some of the region’s classic limestone- and clay-based soils—sites that naturally temper vigor and encourage slow, balanced ripening. Rioja Alta contributes its hallmark freshness, fine tannins, and red-fruited elegance, while Rioja Alavesa brings depth, subtle power, and a slightly darker fruit profile. The 2010 vintage itself is considered one of Rioja’s greatest of the last several decades: long, even, cool nights, and moderate daytime warmth produced grapes of exceptional concentration, pristine acidity, and beautifully ripe tannins. This wine carries the imprint of that season—structured yet lifted, complex yet precise, with the maturity that only extended aging can reveal.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
A traditional Gran Reserva blend dominated by Tempranillo with portions of Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano, it underwent extended maceration to build aromatic complexity and fine phenolic structure. The wine was aged for several years in a mix of American and French oak barrels—American oak contributing vanilla, coconut, and warm spice tones, while French oak layers in cedar, tobacco leaf, and savory nuance. After barrel aging, the wine saw a long rest in bottle in Grupo Olarra’s cathedral-like cellars, allowing tertiary notes to blossom and the tannins to melt into a seamless, silken framework. By the time of release, the wine is already deeply evolved, yet still carrying a core of vitality that speaks to the exceptional quality of the 2010 harvest.

Tasting Notes
The nose opens with an elegant, mature bouquet of dried cherry, red currant, warm strawberry compote, and plum skin, interwoven with cedar shavings, toasted coconut, pipe tobacco, sandalwood, and autumn leaves. With air, the wine reveals deeper layers—dried rose petals, leather, sweet spice, and hints of balsamic reduction. On the palate, it is exquisitely balanced: medium-bodied but resonant, with pinpoint acidity and ultra-fine tannins that glide rather than grip. Flavors of red fruit preserve, orange rind, forest floor, and cigar box harmonize with a long, supple finish marked by spice-laden oak, savory herbs, and a persistent whisper of dried red flowers. Mature, refined, and classically styled, it embodies the soul of traditional Rioja Gran Reserva.

Food Pairing & Service
This wine pairs beautifully with dishes that allow its evolved aromatics and silky structure to shine: slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, jamón Ibérico, braised rabbit, grilled pork tenderloin with paprika, or aged Manchego cheese. Mushroom dishes—especially porcini risotto or roasted chanterelles—echo the wine’s earthy undertones. Serve at 60–62°F (16–17°C) in a large Burgundy bowl or tapered Bordeaux stem to highlight its aromatic breadth. A gentle 30–45 minutes of aeration helps unfurl the tertiary nuances without diminishing the delicate fruit core.