La Rioja Alta is one of the benchmarks for traditional Rioja. The Estate is celebrated for its Grand Reservas “904” and “890”; the latter is named after the genesis of La Rioja Alta in 1890.
The “890” Gran Reserva is the epitome of La Rioja Alta’s traditional style and is only produced in the very best vintages. The 2010 is the first in 4 years and was/is lauded across Rioja as one of the finest in living memory and one of only nine vintages in the last fifty years described as “Excellent” by the Consejo Regulador de Rioja.
Due to high global demand and limited production, we only have 18 bottles to offer clients. This parcel is direct from the winery via the U.S. import agent. This is a top-tier "Gran Reserva," a must-have for any serious collector or Spanish wine enthusiast. Expect to see a 2011 and 2015 release down the road but insiders emphatically highlight the quality of this 2010 release.
Stellar Accolades:
99 Points, James Suckling:
"This is really refined and complex, with dark mineral, savory berries, mussels, walnuts, sweet spices, truffles, dried oranges, forest floor and cocoa powder. Beautiful acidity with vertical and velvety tannins. Tense, dimensional and very long. Drink or keep holding."
98 Points, Tim Atkin, Master of Wine:
"The superlative 2010 release is the first 890 Gran Reserva since 2005, and it was definitely worth the wait. Partnering Tempranillo with 3% Graciano and 2% Mazuelo, it has a wonderful combination of structure, sweetness and focus. Aromatic spices, red berry fruit and top notes of tobacco and fresh leather are underpinned by age-worthy tannins and refreshing acidity. One to keep."
97 Points, Wine Advocate:
"The wine epitomizes the classical style of Rioja Alta with long aging in barrel, developed and tertiary wines with a silky palate and a complex and decadent nose of forest floor, truffles, cigar ash and cedar wood ... This has to be one of the finest vintages for this wine. It's drinkable now but should also age for a very long time; it's intense, complex and elegant. This is a very intense 890. Classicism in a bottle."
