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La Rioja Alta is one of the foremost estates in the Rioja region, formed in 1890 by five Riojan and Basque families. It is particularly known for its classically-styled, spicy Gran Reserva reds that can age gracefully for many decades. The winery shares its name with the Rioja Alta (Upper Rioja) subregion in which many of its operations are based. Vineyards and winery The estate consists of around 400 hectares (1000 acres) of vineyards around Rioja, planted predominantly to Tempranillo, but with a wealth of other varieties including Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo. La Rioja Alta's original winery is in Haro, but there is a second site in Labastida in Rioja Alavesa that was built in 1996. The Haro winery includes a cooperage, where barrels are made from American oak. Wines The flagship wine of La Rioja Alta's portfolio is the Gran Reserva 890 red, named for the foundation year. It is made from selected clusters and is aged for around six years in first-use barrels. Next in line comes the Gran Reserva 904. this is aged for four years in oak and has a similar proportion of Tempranillo than the 890 – around 90 percent. The number 904 commerates the year that the Ardanza winery was acquired. La Rioja Alta also makes a third Gran Reserva, the Viña Arada. The Viña Ardanza Reserva has a higher proportion of Garnacha, and the Viña Alberdi Crianza completes the range. -------TASTING NOTES------ Characterized by a long growing season and perfect phenolic ripeness, this vintage yielded wines of great aromatic intensity and fruit character, with excellent balance between alcohol and acidity, making them ideal for extended aging. This high-quality vintage is the result of rigorous technical management in a year with challenging weather conditions. grapes The Tempranillo (80%) comes from our 30-year-old La Cuesta and Montecillo vineyards in Fuenmayor and Cenicero. The Garnacha (20%) is from La Pedriza in Tudelilla (Rioja Baja), a 70-hectare vineyard with ideal conditions for growing this variety. grapes The grapes are hand-harvested in crates at the end of September, with an initial selection of bunches in the vineyard. The Garnacha is harvested 20 days later. The grapes are transported under refrigeration to the winery to maintain their quality. After a second sorting on an optical sorting table, the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are completed naturally. In April 2021, we selected the best batches for aging in American oak barrels, using 20% ​​new barrels. The Tempranillo remained in barrel for 36 months, with six manual rackings, and the Garnacha wines for 30 months, with five manual rackings. We bottled the final blend in November 2024. Deep, clean, and bright cherry-red with a garnet rim. A complex and expressive nose with spicy aromas of pepper, clove, and nutmeg, alongside notes of cedar, cocoa powder, and toasted wood, enveloping delicate nuances of red and black fruit such as candied cherry, blueberry, and currant. On the palate, its initial freshness and balance stand out, along with its pronounced, sweet, and elegant tannins, which provide structure and breadth. A long, persistent, and complex finish, with an aftertaste that confirms its character and depth. above Roast lamb, red meats, barbecues, game, highly seasoned fish stews, smoked and cured cheeses.