Vina Arana Rioja 2015

Vina Arana Rioja 2015 is listed as a Spanish red, and the name points to the Rioja style. Wines in that style are usually built on Tempranillo, often with Garnacha, Graciano or Mazuelo in support. Expect a medium-bodied red with red cherry, dried plum and strawberry fruit. Rioja bottlings also tend to carry notes of dried herbs, leather, tobacco and sweet baking spice. The listing doesn't give grape blend, alcohol level or oak regime, so treat those as typical of the style rather than confirmed for this bottle. Wines of this kind usually have moderate, fine-grained tannin and fresh acidity. That structure suits food, and it keeps the fruit from feeling heavy. Oak ageing in the Rioja tradition often adds vanilla, cedar and a gentle coconut or clove edge. It usually sits in the background of the fruit rather than dominating it. The finish is typically medium to long and savory, with the fruit fading into spice and earth. At the table, this style is at its best with roast lamb, grilled pork chops, chorizo and other cured sausages, and manchego. It also works with mushroom dishes, roast chicken with paprika or garlic, and tomato-based stews. The acidity cuts through rich, salty and fatty foods, and the moderate tannin won't overpower simpler dishes. Skip very spicy, hot-pepper cooking, which can make oak and alcohol feel sharper. Serve it slightly cool, around 60 to 64°F (16 to 18°C). Twenty minutes in the refrigerator before opening usually gets a room-temperature bottle there. A bottle of this vintage may have thrown a little sediment, so stand it upright for a few hours beforehand. Pour it carefully, or decant it briefly, which also lets the aromas open. Use a medium-sized red wine glass or a Bordeaux-style stemmed glass with enough room to swirl. A 2015 Rioja in this style is generally ready to drink now. Cellaring it longer is optional, and the fruit may fade as the savory notes grow.