Review of Hacienda de Arínzano Rosé 2015

We received the product for review and all opinions are our own.

Ah, springtime is here and Rosé wines are a plenty! There was a bit of time when pink wine fell out of favor, which is quite sad seeing how diverse these babies are. I personally feel that Rosé has no season, because they pair with just about anything you throw at them. However, spring and summer are the obvious months in which pink wines practically fly off the shelves at wine shops and grocery stores the world over, and there is definitely nothing wrong with that. After all, who has the hankering for a Merlot post-lawn duties on a hot summer day? I know I surely do not. Most of us are seeking something cooled down, high in acidity, and lighthearted. It seems Rosé wines fit that bill quite well, don’t they? Anyhow, this particular review is a Rosé wine from Spain. Being Texan, Tempranillo is fast becoming a household name, so this 100% Tempranillo pink wine sure feels right at home in my glass.

The wine being discussed is the 2015 Hacienda de Arínzano Rosé. Arínzano was the first Pago (Spain’s most prestigious wine classification) in northern Spain. With such an accolade, one would expect their portfolio of wines to be top-notch to say the least. Needless the say, the bar was set high for this one from the get-go. The winery is situated at the crossroads of Rioja and Navarra along an accent wine road. The property sits along the Ega river on an 877 acre estate, of which 316 acres are currently planted to Pago vineyards. The rest of the property is dedicated to nature conservation. The Atlantic climate provides a large diurnal temperature shift, and the Ega river moderates the summer heat to help minimize stress on the vines. The soils are canteras (quarry) soils, which are very rocky and challenging. This assists in keeping the yields low.

Now onto the wine. Once the bottle is uncorked, the wine pours into the glass a strawberry color. The aromas are very robust, and notes of strawberry candies, watermelon, and grapefruit erupt from the glass into the nose. The palate confirms the nose, with the addition of some citrus fruit, specifically lime rinds. The profile is quite bold for a Rosé. This wine shows Spain’s bravado capability with Rosé vs the delicate and pretty wines of Provence, France, and Texas. The wine is fermented bone dry.

Specifications:

• Hacienda de Arínzano Rosé, 2015 vintage
• Winemaker: Manuel Louzada
• Appellation: Rioja / Navarra, Spain
• Grape varieties: 100% Tempranillo
• Barrels: N/A
• Clarity/brightness: Clear/bright, with no detectable flaws and no evidence of gas or sediment
• Tannins: N/A
• Acidity: Very high
• Alcohol: Medium
• Finish: Medium plus
• Alcohol by volume: 13.5%
• Retail price: $19.99 at the time of review

All in all this Spanish Rosé is a winner in my book. The wine meets all the criteria needed to be a quality pink wine. Clean with high acidity, and sold at a modest retail price. I must mention though, this wine is not for the faint of heart. I found it not necessarily pretty and dainty, but muscular and powerful. We enjoyed this bottle with grilled hot dogs and tater tots, but we should have had it with a sirloin steak. Grab a bottle if you can. Summer awaits my friends!

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.