La Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 1955

Wine: La Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 1955

Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and Mazuelo
ABV: 13.5%
Viticulture

The Tempranillo is sourced from the estate's oldest vineyards in the Rioja Alta sub-zone, primarily within the municipalities of Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes originate from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno.
Winemaking

Meticulous grape selection upon arrival. The wine spent between 12 and 18 months in the winery’s foundational centennial oak vats (grey wood) to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilization. It was then transferred to 225-liter American oak barrels handcrafted in the winery’s own cooperage. The wine underwent an extensive aging period of 96 months with a total of 14 manual rackings (trasiegas) in the emblematic Vigier cellar. Bottled directly from the barrel without filtration. Limited production of 7,300 bottles (75 cl). Aged in the bottle for a minimum of 72 months prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: It presents a beautiful, very pale brownish-ruby with medium-low depth (capa); slightly grainy in texture. It shows copper and orange highlights. The rim is broad and fully tawny (tile-red), merging indistinguishably with the meniscus.

 

Nose: Elegant "to the bone," embodying absolute classicism with a progression of intensity that is hard to believe. Upon opening, it appears expressive yet soft and settled, offering aromas of noble woods (cedar, fine cabinetry, tung oil), Russian leather, birch, and an autumnal backdrop of leaf litter and shaded forest floor. Spicy notes of clove, balsam, and aromatic herbs (lavender) emerge alongside a growing sensation of concentrated red fruit—very ripe, yet not at all liqueur-like—which brings forth floral nuances of withered and candied petals. It becomes increasingly refined, subtle, and elegant. It never stops growing; more and more...

 

Palate: On the palate, all that subtlety is eclipsed by the expression of a wine with enormous structure: powerful and muscular. The tannins feel like imprints—firm and pronounced—endowing the ensemble with a surge of life. Dry and spicy, with a soaring acidity that envelops everything else. At times, one might say it is still somewhat "hard" to drink, and rightfully so, yet it drinks so beautifully! An uncompromising "890," far removed from any modern trends. It must be savored slowly, leaving one to wonder just how far it can go with more years of cellaring. Perhaps we erred by opening it so soon, but who can resist these old charmers?

 

Personal Score: 97
Tasting Group Score: 98