Product Information

Gran Reserva 890 1995

Jamie says: "La Rioja Alta's top wine - the oak is just starting to loosen its grip, the tobacco / dried fruit complexity starting to integrate beautifully with the sweet ripe fruit. Superb."
Price: £93.00

Colour: Red
Region: Rioja, Spain
Grape: Tempranillo
Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%

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On July 10,1890, five Basque and Rioja-based vine growers created "Sociedad Vinicola De La Rioja Alta" in Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta. This was the beginning of a fascinating business venture in which the only dream of the five founders was to craft and age high quality wines.  The company changed its name to "LA RIOJA ALTA" in 1891.

In 1941 the company took on its present name, LA RIOJA ALTA, S.A. A year later La Rioja Alta registered the brand name for which they owe most of their fame and renown: "Viña Ardanza".

In 1970, a new cask hall was built and La Rioja Alta started to increase their vineyard holdings, buying several estates. This was the time when La Rioja Alta introduced new brands, such as Viña Arana and Viña Alberdi.  La Rioja Alta also produce fantastic Gran Reservas under the brands Gran Reserva 904 and Gran Reserva 890.

La Rioja Alta are probably the best and most successful makers of classic style red Riojas.  Top quality grapes are vinified in the new winery at Labastida then aged in American oak casks and in bottle far longer than the minimum standards.  Old Chapel Cellars has quite a strong, long-standing link with La Rioja Alta.  Laymont & Shaw, where I used to be the buyer and am now independently based in the Old Chapel which served as L&S HQ for so long, represented La Rioja Alta for over 30 years in the UK and I visited the La Rioja Alta winery several times.

Due to this I know La Rioja Alta very well and can vouch for their near obsession with quality – as a family owned company they do not need to pander to the need of outside shareholders and this allows them to plan and invest for the long term.