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4.68/5

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La Rioja Alta : Gran Reserva 890 2005

Name: La Rioja Alta : Gran Reserva 890 2005
Brand: La Rioja Alta
SKU: J1614/05
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.68 (342 reviews)

La Rioja

Rioja

- Red - See details

Parker | 95

J. Robinson | 17-

Decanter | 97

Wine Spectator | 95

J. Suckling | 98

Vinous - A. Galloni | 97

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DeliveryFree Home delivery for orders exceeding € 300
Guaranteed provenanceWines sourced directly from the producing estates

All La Rioja Alta wines

Marks and reviews

/100

Robert Parker

Luis Gutiérrez

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.

/100

Wine Spectator

Thomas Matthews

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.

/100

Decanter

A mature colour; garnet and red brick, hessian, deeper at the core. One is immediately distracted by aromatics of truffle, forest floor and suede, behind that laurel and lavender, then pressed blackcurrant leaf and fig. Effortlessly evocative. Vestigial fruit is shrouded in spice, herbs and a hint of game. Still evolving but already munificent. Don't bother with the Cognac, just keep going with this!

/100

James Suckling

The aromas here are stunning, with dried strawberry, stone, and fresh mushroom. Full-bodied and very tight, with incredible depth and structure. It goes on for minutes. One of the greatest ever? The new 1964? Available January 2018.

/100

Vinous

Josh Raynolds

Shimmering garnet. Aromas of dried cherry, potpourri, vanilla, cigar box and exotic spices; a smoky mineral quality builds in the glass. Sweet, concentrated and seamless on the palate, offering cherry compote, red currant and rose pastille flavors that put on weight and pick up a spicy nuance on the back half. Conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy and closes sweet and gently tannic, with superb persistence and an echo of candied flowers and red fruits. This bottling and the 2001 are the only Selección Especial versions of the 890 Gran Reserva that have been produced by La Rioja Alta.

Description

Tasting characteristics and serving advice for La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 2005

Tasting

Appearance
The wine shows a ruby-red color with emerging brick highlights, reflecting the maturity of this exceptional vintage.

Nose
The bouquet reveals a classic Rioja profile with intense aromas of tanned leather, candied plums, and raisins. Notes of tobacco, sweet spices, vanilla, and dark chocolate intermingle, creating a complex and elegant whole.

Palate
On the palate, this wine seduces with its elegant, mature character, boasting remarkable structure and perfectly balanced acidity. Silky tannins accompany a generous, complex, rounded palate, leading to an elegant, persistent finish.

Food and wine pairing
This Gran Reserva pairs ideally with delicate dishes in light sauces, meat stews, and chocolate desserts. It also makes an excellent digestif to conclude a refined meal.

An exceptional Gran Reserva embodying La Rioja’s centuries-old tradition

The estate
La Rioja Alta, S.A., founded in 1890 in Haro, Rioja, remains a family-owned estate passed down through six generations. The group farms several hundred hectares of vines and also owns Torre de Oña, Lagar de Cervera, and Áster. Led by Guillermo de Aranzabal Bittner, the estate belongs to the descendants of the founding families and stands out for its extended aging and its emblematic 890 and 904 cuvées.

The vineyard
The grapes come from estate-owned vineyards in Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba for Tempranillo and Mazuelo, as well as from the Montecillo vineyard for Graciano. These Rioja terroirs benefit from ideal climatic conditions for the flourishing of these traditional varieties.

The vintage
The 2005 vintage saw a classic budbreak, followed by moderate, well-distributed spring rains that supported optimal canopy development through fruit set. September was marked by moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights, imparting to the grapes the typical characteristics of Rioja.

Winemaking and aging
After manual harvesting, gentle destemming and crushing, Gran Reserva 890 2005 underwent an unhurried fermentation. The wine was then aged for six years in barrels with ten traditional rackings. Several selections during aging allowed for the final blend to be created from 199 barrels. Bottling took place in March 2012 without filtration.

Grape varieties
Tempranillo (95%), Mazuelo (2%), and Graciano (3%) make up this traditional Rioja blend.

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