The 2009 Arzuaga Especial Reserva is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Albillo from 100-year-old vines in Laderas, aged for 24 months in new French oak. There is a decent interplay between the oak and the fruit here, the wood not totally dominating the stage and allowing those old Tempranillo vines to perform. The palate is sweet and ripe with good acidity but the more this wine stays in the mouth, the more the oak dominates and while offering pleasure, says little about what I am certain is interesting, propitious terroir. Drink 2014-2020. Bodegas Arzuarga Navarro was founded by Florentino Arzuarga in 1993. They offer a reliable portfolio of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reservas that are perhaps a little too polished and occasionally fall into the trap of relying on excessive French oak. However, I found them to be cleanly made. Only the Crianza is imported into the United States, although I found the time to taste all their current releases. Importer: This was being imported by Fine Wine Imports, but I was informed that this has recently ceased.