2015 Bodegas Anares Gran Reserva Rioja 750 ml

We have a checklist for can’t-miss Rioja, but rarely does a bottle tick every box like the 2015 Bodegas Añares Gran Reserva, which comes from one of our favorite producers on the Ebro in a standout vintage. After 24 months in barrel and nearly seven years in the bottle, this 93-pointer is absolutely singing right now.

Añares belongs to Bodegas Olarra, which, for almost 50 years, has produced top-flight reds of impressive character, combining the region’s time-honored winemaking methods with state-of-the-art technologies and cutting-edge design. The winery itself, which sits on the Ebro River in the heart of Logroño, is a monument to modern architecture.

Designed by Juan Antonio Ridruejo, the iconic three-winged building (picture the Mercedes-Benz badge) is one of the most breathtaking sites in Spanish wine. Its most prominent feature is the barrel-room roof, a remarkable assemblage of 111 hexagonal domes that go beyond mere aesthetics: They’re designed to prevent sharp temperature changes in the cellar. This is absolutely crucial for Rioja wines, which require careful aging. 

The 2015 Rioja Gran Reserva, made from 90% Tempranillo plus 5% Mazuelo (Carignan), 3% Graciano and 2% Garnacha, was aged for 24 months in French and American barriques, followed by six years in bottle in the cool cellar. 

Unlike Bordeaux, where the responsibility for aging wines to maturity falls on the consumer, many producers of classic Rioja stick to tradition by not releasing their bottlings until they’re ready to drink. The 2015 Añares fits into that proud heritage, as the winery has carefully handled the storage. All that’s left to do is enjoy!