Bodegas Señorío de Arana, Viña Del Oja Rioja Reserva, 2018
Bodegas Señorío de Arana, Viña Del Oja Rioja Reserva, 2018
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2032
The 2018 Rioja Reserva from Viña del Oja displays a garnet-red hue with developing brick edges. Aromatically, it introduces a layered bouquet of dried cherry, red plum, leather, cedar, and subtle tobacco. On the palate, it's medium-full bodied with a smooth, refined texture, ripe red and dark fruit flavours harmonise with gentle spice and earthy elements. Silky tannins and vibrant acidity culminate in a lingering, savoury finish marked by hints of vanilla and tobacco.
Crafted under the thoughtful stewardship of this Rioja Alavesa estate, the wine begins with a long aging period: roughly 18 months in American oak followed by extended bottle maturation. It's drinking beautifully now with grilled or roasted meats, mature cheese, or hearty stews.
The 2018 is drinking in its prime window, with primary fruit flavours having evolved into more complex dried fruit and savoury characteristics. The oak has fully integrated and the tannins have softened to silky smoothness. Over the next 3-4 years, we expect the wine to develop further tertiary complexity with leather and earthy notes becoming more prominent. By 2030-2032, it will begin showing signs of gentle decline as the fruit starts to fade, though it will remain pleasant for those who enjoy fully mature Rioja.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceGarnet red with developing brick edges that hint at its maturity.
NoseWe find layers of dried cherry and red plum anchored by leather and cedar. There's subtle tobacco threading through, creating an inviting complexity that speaks to both fruit and time.
PalateMedium-full bodied with a smooth, refined texture that lets the ripe red and dark fruit shine alongside gentle spice and earthy undertones. The silky tannins and vibrant acidity create perfect harmony.
FinishLingering and savoury with vanilla and tobacco threading through the final moments.
Overall impressionA Rioja Reserva drinking at its peak, where patience has been rewarded with silky integration.
Food Pairings
In Rioja, this wine would accompany cordero asado (slow-roasted lamb) rubbed with rosemary and garlic, or cochinillo segoviano (roast suckling pig) with crispy skin and tender meat. Local favourites include morcilla de Burgos (blood sausage) with rice, and aged Manchego or Cabrales cheese served with quince paste. The wine's earthy character also pairs beautifully with wild mushroom dishes like revuelto de setas or hearty fabada asturiana bean stew.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-18°C to allow the fruit and spice to express fully without muting the wine's elegance. No need to decant as the extended bottle ageing has already integrated the tannins, though 30 minutes of breathing in the glass will open the aromatics further. Use a large Burgundy bowl or traditional Rioja glass to concentrate the developed bouquet.
The vineyards lie in Rioja Alavesa, where the Cantabrian Mountains create a cooler, Atlantic-influenced climate compared to Rioja's warmer eastern zones. Limestone-rich soils with clay deposits provide excellent drainage whilst retaining sufficient moisture for the vines. This combination of cooler temperatures and calcareous soils produces grapes with natural acidity and elegant tannins, creating wines of notable finesse and ageing potential.
Rioja Reserva must be aged for a minimum of three years, with at least one year in oak barrels of 330 litres or less. This extended ageing regime, longer than most Spanish DOs require, creates wines with integrated oak, developed fruit character, and smooth tannins. Rioja Alavesa, where this wine originates, is the coolest and most northerly of Rioja's three subzones, known for producing the region's most elegant and age-worthy wines with distinctive mineral backbone.
We think 2018 might just be Rioja's best-kept secret of the decade. The growing season started with a soggy spring that had growers fretting about disease pressure, but then July and August delivered precisely the sort of warm, dry conditions that make Tempranillo sing. The key was September's cool nights, which preserved acidity whilst allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly across Rioja's three sub-regions.
What emerged was a vintage of remarkable balance and elegance. The wines have lovely concentration without the sometimes overbearing power of 2017, and crucially, they've retained that vibrant freshness that makes Rioja so food-friendly. We find the 2018s sitting beautifully between the structured 2016s and the more immediately charming 2019s. Quality is consistently high from Rioja Alta through to Rioja Oriental, with even the humblest village wines showing real character.
The Crianza wines are drinking beautifully now and will continue to improve until 2027, whilst the Reservas are just hitting their stride and have decades ahead of them. We're particularly excited about how the 2018 Gran Reservas will develop over the next 15-20 years.
FAQs
What does this Rioja Reserva taste like?
Smooth and elegant with dried cherry, plum, cedar, and tobacco flavours. The long ageing has created silky tannins and perfect integration between fruit and oak.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now and will remain at its best until 2032. The extended ageing before release means it's ready to enjoy immediately.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Perfect with grilled or roasted meats like lamb or beef, mature hard cheeses, and hearty stews. The wine's earthy character also complements mushroom dishes brilliantly.
How should I serve this Rioja?
Serve at 16-18°C in large wine glasses. No need to decant, but letting it breathe for 30 minutes will help the aromatics open up.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
It's already perfectly mature and drinking at its peak. Whilst it will remain good for several more years, there's no advantage to further ageing.
How does this compare to other Rioja styles?
Reserva represents the sweet spot of Rioja ageing, offering more complexity than Crianza but remaining more approachable than Gran Reserva. This example shows classic elegance typical of Rioja Alavesa.
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