ANCIANO NO. 10 RIOJA GRAN RESERVA 2015

Winery notes (2015 Vintage)
"Anciano Rioja Gran Reserva comes from leading producer Criadores de Rioja located near Logroño, at the heart of Rioja Alta. The winery belongs to a family with one of the longest traditions in Rioja winemaking and our winemaker has access to some of the finest wines in the region. Gran Reserva wines are aged for a minimum of 5 years with 2+ years in oak barrels and 2 years in bottle.

The grapes – a mix of Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo – are grown in high altitude vineyards (300-500m) on gravel and sandy soils and hand-harvested in late September from a selection of the oldest bush-trained, low-yielding, vines with an average age of over 50 years. Fermentation is in stainless steel tanks with the temperature controlled at 30°C and then maceration is for around 10 days. The resulting wine is aged in American oak barrels for 24 months and then for an extended period in bottle. This results in the perfect traditional Gran Reserva balance of fruit and oak flavours.

Bright red wine with garnet rim, turning to brick, showing its extended ageing in barrels and bottle. Complex aromas of mature dark fruit, vanilla and cinnamon spice with mineral notes. It has a velvety smooth texture with a harmonious long finish as well as a fresh and delicious balsamic character. Ageing potential 10-15 years. Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans."

5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2025 (2015 Vintage)
"Immensely complex and seductively expressed, showing dark berry, smoked meat, star anise, dried mushroom, and toasted nut aromas on the nose. It's plush and fleshy in the mouth, offering terrific weight and silky flow, wonderfully framed by finely infused tannins, which make it robust and structured, with a persistent, delectable finish. At its best: now to 2030."

93/100 Mike DeSimone, Wine Enthusiast, July 2023 (2015 Vintage)
"Deep ruby in the glass, this wine offers aromas of black plum, pomegranate and black olive tapenade. Durable tannins and strong acidity play backup to black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, orange zest and dried Mediterranean herb flavours that culminate in a lasting finish."

93/100 NatalieMaclean.com, April 2024 (2015 Vintage)
"Anciano Gran Reserva No. 10 (2015) is always a crowd-pleaser. Deep ruby in the glass with ripe red berry, black cherry, olive, fine herb, dark chocolate, cinnamon spice and orange zest flavours with a touch of minerality, it finishes with good length and balanced acidity to pair with roast duck or a sausage cassoulet. An easy-to-love, medium-plus-bodied 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo Rioja red wine blend to enjoy through 2026."

90/100 Cameron Douglas MS, September 2025 (2015 Vintage)
"Aged and ready with flavours of baking spices and smoked meats, plenty of oak with vanilla and cinnamon then terracotta and clay earthy highlights. Dry, firm textures with medium acid line and dusty tannins. Well made, balanced and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2028."