Arinzano La Casona is a 750ml, 14% ABV red wine from Navarra, Spain, blending Tempranillo and Merlot from one of the country's most prestigious single-estate vineyards. Scored 92 points by James Suckling on the 2015 vintage, this expression carries the rare Vino de Pago designation — the highest classification a Spanish wine can achieve, ranking above even Denominación de Origen Calificada.Quick Facts: ABV: 14% | Origin: Navarra, Spain | Vino de Pago | Producer: Hacienda de ArinzanoProduction & HeritageHacienda de Arinzano holds the distinction of being the first estate in northern Spain to receive Vino de Pago status, a classification granted only to single vineyards demonstrating exceptional and consistent terroir character. La Casona is composed of 75% Tempranillo and 25% Merlot, aged for 14 months in French oak barrels — 40% new and 60% second use — a ratio designed to integrate oak structure without masking the fruit. The estate has also practiced extended bottle aging on select vintages, holding wines back from release until they reach a level of maturity deemed ready to drink, a commitment that separates Arinzano from many producers in the region.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with intense black fruit — blackcurrant and blackberry — before shifting into layers of cinnamon, cardamom, and cedarwood. Deeper exploration reveals tobacco leaf, roasted coffee, and a faint balsamic quality from oak aging.Taste: On entry, the palate is full-bodied with concentrated dark cherry and blackberry fruit. The mid-palate introduces sweet exotic spices and a forest-floor earthiness, while the structure remains lifted by a notable current of acidity and freshness that prevents the weight from turning heavy. Licorice and smoky undertones emerge toward the peak, adding complexity.Finish: The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of cedar dust, dark fruit, and a subtle smokiness. The tannins resolve into a fine, polished texture that invites another sip.How to Drink La CasonaThis wine is best served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) and benefits from 30 minutes of decanting to open up its aromatic complexity. Pouring it into a large-bowled glass allows the layered spice and fruit notes to fully develop. La Casona is built for the table — drink it alongside food rather than treating it purely as a sipping wine.Best For Pairing with a slow-cooked lamb or braised short rib dinner Gifting a wine enthusiast interested in elite Spanish terroir designations Introducing Bordeaux lovers to Spain's Vino de Pago category Anchoring a curated tasting of Tempranillo-based blends across regions Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does La Casona taste like? La Casona delivers concentrated blackberry and black cherry fruit layered with cinnamon, cedarwood, and roasted coffee, all carried by a full-bodied palate with bright acidity and a long, spice-driven finish.How does La Casona compare to a premium Bordeaux blend? Both share a structured, oak-aged profile with dark fruit and cedar notes, but La Casona's 75% Tempranillo brings a distinctive earthy warmth and balsamic character that Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux typically does not emphasize. The Merlot component adds a similar plushness found in Right Bank Bordeaux, though Arinzano's Navarra terroir and French oak regime give it a uniquely Spanish identity.Is La Casona good for sipping neat? It performs well on its own after decanting, though its full body and savory complexity truly shine when paired with rich, meat-centered dishes.Where is La Casona made? La Casona is produced at Hacienda de Arinzano in Navarra, northern Spain, a single estate that was the first property in northern Spain to earn the coveted Vino de Pago classification.What foods pair well with La Casona? Braised lamb shanks complement the wine's earthy spice and tannin structure. Grilled ribeye steak mirrors its full body and smoky undertones. Manchego aged 12 months echoes its Spanish heritage and nutty oak character. Slow-roasted pork shoulder with a black cherry reduction bridges the fruit profile, and dark chocolate desserts with a touch of cinnamon highlight the wine's spice notes.What sizes does La Casona come in? Arinzano La Casona is available in the standard 750ml bottle.Is La Casona worth the price? La Casona positions as a premium expression within Arinzano's range, and its Vino de Pago status — Spain's highest wine classification — combined with French oak aging and extended bottle maturation offers strong value relative to comparably rated Bordeaux blends at similar quality tiers.Why La Casona?The Vino de Pago designation is not a marketing label — it is the most stringent classification in Spanish wine law, awarded only to individual estates that demonstrate terroir of exceptional and proven character. Hacienda de Arinzano was the first estate in all of northern Spain to earn it. La Casona translates that pedigree into a wine that balances Tempranillo's dark-fruited intensity with the structural refinement of French oak aging, earning consistent critical recognition including a 92-point score from James Suckling. For anyone seeking a serious Spanish red that stands apart from the familiar Rioja paradigm, this bottling represents Navarra's strongest argument.
