2015 Bodegas Olarra Anares Reserva Rioja 750 ml

Rioja’s biggest prestige lies with its Gran Reservas, while its best value often comes with its Crianzas. 

Rioja Reservas hit that sweet spot right in the middle—and no wine shows it better than the 2015 Bodegas Olarra Añares Rioja Reserva.

A classic Reserva from a vintage Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate ranked among the best of the decade, this gorgeous bottle is now seven years past harvest and showing that age with grace. Wildly aromatic, supple on the palate, it’s polished and delicious, the perfect accompaniment to almost any meal—you can dress it up or down. 

It’s not surprising to see this quality wearing the Añares label from Bodegas Olarra. For almost 50 years, Olarra 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 Reserva, made from 90% Tempranillo plus Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan), and Graciano, was aged for 18 months in American oak casks followed by bottle-aging in the winery’s cellar. It’s the ideal companion for any paella, but also shines with grilled chorizo, ratatouille, or a chunk of aged Manchego.