Wine: La Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 1994
Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and Mazuelo
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and Mazuelo
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Viticulture:
First selection of grapes in the vineyard. Tempranillo is sourced from the oldest estate vineyards in the Rioja Alta subzone, primarily in Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes come from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno, as well as from traditional growers in the area. All vineyards are over 40 years old.
First selection of grapes in the vineyard. Tempranillo is sourced from the oldest estate vineyards in the Rioja Alta subzone, primarily in Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes come from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno, as well as from traditional growers in the area. All vineyards are over 40 years old.
Winemaking:
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature (max 30°C) for 15 days. The wine spends 6 months in century-old oak vats from the founding era to complete malolactic fermentation and clarification. After a second selection, it was transferred in June 1995 to 225-liter American oak barrels (20% new, 80% with an average age of 4 years), handcrafted in the winery's cooperage. It matured for 72 months with 12 manual rackings by candlelight in the Vigier cellar. Bottled directly from the barrel, unfiltered, in June 2001. Limited production of 16,599 bottles. Minimum of 60 months of bottle aging before release.
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature (max 30°C) for 15 days. The wine spends 6 months in century-old oak vats from the founding era to complete malolactic fermentation and clarification. After a second selection, it was transferred in June 1995 to 225-liter American oak barrels (20% new, 80% with an average age of 4 years), handcrafted in the winery's cooperage. It matured for 72 months with 12 manual rackings by candlelight in the Vigier cellar. Bottled directly from the barrel, unfiltered, in June 2001. Limited production of 16,599 bottles. Minimum of 60 months of bottle aging before release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Garnet-cherry color with medium-high depth; opaque and closed.
Brilliant garnet and orange reflections, limpid and sediment-free.
Slightly coppery rim, sharply defined against the meniscus.
Nose:
Open, highly accessible, and of great intensity, offering every detail
generously. It shows a settled and mature profile dominated initially by
Christmas spices (clove, cinnamon, star anise, ginger) and an
extraordinary expression of dried fruit: candied cherries in liqueur,
smoked notes, macerated plums, dried apricots, and marzipan. Broad and
dense, with notes of leather, stable, and earth still integrating.
Extremely attractive.
Palate:
Possesses as much distinction as energy. Full of life, dry, and
rewarded with overflowing acidity, freshness, and gushing red fruit.
Spicy, sharp, savory, and very lively. Above all, it has class—immense
class. It maintains a nerve tempered by a vein of vanilla and a fine
trace of luxurious wood that lingers in the aftertaste.
Commentary:
This Gran Reserva is starting to show it has reached a recommended consumption stage after years of being too "raw." Despite its closeness to the 1995 vintage, these two 890s are antagonistic, proving that the vintage's seal remains fundamental at La Rioja Alta.
This Gran Reserva is starting to show it has reached a recommended consumption stage after years of being too "raw." Despite its closeness to the 1995 vintage, these two 890s are antagonistic, proving that the vintage's seal remains fundamental at La Rioja Alta.
Personal Score: 94
Tasting Group Average: 95
Tasting Group Average: 95
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