| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | Spain > Rioja |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Founded in 1890 as a consortium of five families, La Rioja Alta is an integral part of Haro’s Barrio de la Estación district, with its modern winemaking facilities in Labastida. The 890 name stems from the first wine made by the company’s first winemaker, Monsieur Vigier, in 1890. Predominantly Tempranillo with a little Mazuelo and Graciano, aged for six years in American oak, then for a few more years in bottle. Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: The unmistakable style of classic gran reserva, with its vanilla tones, this is so refined and long, so delicate. Great. Sarah Jane Evans MW: All about truffles and forest floor. Rich and velvety textured with red berries coming through. Confident, superb. Pierre Mansour: The classy nose suggests proper traditional-style Rioja. Complex and savoury yet fresh, round and graceful. Very long. Drink between 2018-2030.
I tasted the 2005 Gran Reserva 890 again, and I liked it better this time than in my previous review, even if I normally like the Gran Reserva 904 better than this bottling, as I find it better balanced. I tend to feel less energy in this wine, as it spends a very long time in barrel, six years in this case. 2005 was an excellent vintage, and they implemented some improvements in the harvest, introducing 350-kilo boxes and refrigerated transport to the winery, which they think provides better grapes and potentially better quality of the wines. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins have mostly melted, and it has lively acidity that lift the wine up. This is a very classical and polished Rioja. 57,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2012. 2019-2035
Pale to mid ruby. Savoury and sweet on the nose at the same time. Heady and obviously with considerable bottle age. Some hint of animal and dried leaves. Light to medium body with perceptible acidity. I'm not sure I'd pay £120 for this at this stage, but it may well be glorious in 10 or even 20 years' time. Bless those Spaniards for ageing their wines for us so much longer than the Bordelais. Clean, fresh finish. 2016-2040
Cedar and sandalwood aromas give way to flavors of tea, tobacco, dried cherry, forest floor and orange peel in this expressive red. Round on the palate, supported by muscular tannins and juicy acidity. Big but graceful, mature yet lively, in the traditional style. Drink now through 2030. 4,753 cases made.
