La Rioja Alta 890 Selección Especial 2001 Gran Reserva

Wine: La Rioja Alta 890 Selección Especial 2001 Gran Reserva
Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, 2% Mazuelo
ABV: 13.5% vol.

Viticulture:
The Tempranillo is sourced from the winery’s oldest estate vineyards in the Rioja Alta subzone, primarily from the municipalities of Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes originate from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno. All vines are over 40 years of age.

Winemaking:
Initial grape selection in the vineyard with transport in refrigerated crates. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures (max 30°C). After a secondary selection, the wine was racked into 225-liter American oak barrels (20% new, 80% four years old), handcrafted in the winery's own cooperage. It underwent 72 months of aging with a total of 12 manual rackings in the iconic Vigier cellar. Bottled directly from the barrel, unfiltered, in March 2008. Limited production of 15,900 bottles.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Immediately striking for its deep garnet hue and medium-high depth; dark and opaque. Unusually well-covered for an 890, even upon release. Limpid and brilliant with subtle reddish reflections. Narrow orange rim, sharply defined against the meniscus.

 

Nose: The nose exudes youth, defined by potency and a sense of exaggeration. It presents as nervous, loaded with toasted notes, tobacco filler, and exotic, perfumed woods (cedar, sandalwood). Nuances of ash push against a massive core of ripe black fruit, which features a vegetal, almost peppery edge and a background of laurel leaves and aromatic herbs. It is overwhelming in every sense, though its sheer intensity momentarily obscures the finer details.

 

Palate: Silky to the touch yet concentrated and sapid; spicy and as solid as granite. It is utterly convincing. The acidity is piercing and assertive, sustaining a perfectly measured assembly of fruit and oak—barely vanillic. It overflows with vigor and energy. Fresh, full, and vibrant, with remarkably firm tannins that time has not yet begun to erode. Pure bottled pleasure.

 

Commentary:
The first 2001 tasted from the new century, and appropriately, an 890 from La Rioja Alta. It is an extremely promising herald of a legendary vintage. The general impression is of a robust, well-constructed "artifact"—solid and blessed with extraordinary raw material, yet entirely raw. Those seeking a civilized, easy-drinking traditional Gran Reserva may find its current state challenging. It is the augury of something truly monumental for those with the patience to cellar it. A wine destined to disappear from the market rapidly.

 

Personal Score: 94
Tasting Group Average: 93