La Rioja Alta : Gran Reserva 890 2010

A red Rioja wine with an appealing aromatic richness and finesse

The estate

Founded in 1890 on the initiative of 5 families, La Rioja Alta is a reference among La Rioja wines. Elegant, aromatic and balanced, the wines produced by La Rioja Alta are recognised for their complex and authentic expression of fine Spanish wines.

The wine

The 2010 Gran Reserva 890 by La Rioja Alta is a Rioja wine made from a selection of vineyards located in the villages of Briñas, Labastida and Villalba, as well as the Montecillo estate in Fuenmayor. 2010 is the first vintage to be made from this Reserve 890 since the iconic 2005 vintage.

The vintage

The year 2010 was marked by particularly favourable weather conditions. As the harvest approached, the temperature variations between hot, sunny days and cool nights ensured that the grapes ripened slowly and evenly. The harvested grapes are attractive due to both their freshness, their complexity and their ageing potential.

Vinification and ageing

The hand-picked grapes are cooled before vinification by plot. Destemming and light crushing before alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in steel vats. The best batches are selected and then transferred to sixth-fill barrels and undergo 10 rackings. No filtration before bottling in March 2017.

The blend

Tempranillo (95%)

Graciano (3%)

Mazuelo (2%)

La Rioja Alta’s Gran Reserva 890 2010: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

This wine is a beautiful garnet red colour.

Nose

The nose blends fruity (cherry jam, black plum compote) and spicy (cinnamon, pepper) fragrances with subtle notes of vanilla, tobacco leaf and chocolate powder.

Palate

Ample and elegant, the palate is seduced by this wine’s tannins, its freshness and its aromatic expression.

Food and wine pairing

This Rioja wine will pair with stews with herbs or chocolate-based desserts.