Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2011
Details
Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2011
Here it is: the long-awaited 2011 vintage of Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva from bodega La Rioja Alta.
As usual, this Spanish red wine from DOCa Rioja is made basically from of old-vines Tempranillo (95%), complemented with a touch of Graciano (3%) and 2% Mazuela (aka Carignan).
After a meticulous harvest and a selection both on site and in the cellar, the grapes were destemmed, crushed, macerated and then fermented in stainless steel tanks.
After that, the Tempranillo and Mazuela wines were combined and the resulting blend was transferred into American oak barrels built in the winery's own cooperage. The blend went through malolactic fermentation and then it was aged for 6 years, during which process it was racked 10 times. The Graciano wine completed the same process unaccompanied.
Only the best barrel samples were bottled in July 2018. Then the wine Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2011 was cellared for 7+ years before hitting the shelves.
You should decant this Gran Reserva red wine for at least 4 hours before drinking.
60,956 bottles produced.
| Appearance | The red wine Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva is deep cherry with a reddish rim. |
|---|---|
| Nose | Elegant and really complex, this blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuela carries understated aromas of black fruit, with subtle notes of sandalwood, cedar and walnut, a treasure-trove of spices -curry, Ras-el-Hanout, pepper and cinnamon- and hints of cocoa, fine leather and tobacco leaves. |
| Palate | Very fresh, and with an enormous potential for growth, the 2010 vintage of 890 Gran Reserva from La Rioja Alta is phenomenally complex and, at the same time, easy and accessible on the palate. Extremely detailed, vivid, with exhilarating tannins and a superb acidity. Long finish with an aftertaste of liquorice, fruit jam, spices and some mineral notions. |
| Our personal opinion | One of the summits of Rioja, Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2011 ranks among the greatest wines of the world. |
| OTHER VINTAGES | Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2010: Enterwine 97. Parker 97. Guía Peñín 100. T. Atkin 97. J.Suckling 98. Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2005: Enterwine 94. Parker 94. Guía Peñín 98. Decanter 96. J.Suckling 98. Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2004: Enterwine 93. Parker 95. Peñín 94. Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva Selección Especial 2001: Peñín 96. Parker 95. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Type | Red |
| D.O. | Rioja |
| Bottle size | 75 cl |
| Percentage of Alcohol | 14 |
| Serving tempurature | 16-18ºC |
| Should this wine be decanted? | Four hours before serving |
| Does this wine follow the guidelines of biodynamic Farming? | No |
| Organic | No |
| Is this product free of sulfites? | No |
| Ageing | Gran Reserva |
| Type of ageing | Months in American oak barrels |
| Number of months aged in Barrels | 72 |
| Parker's Score | 95 |
| Peñin Score | 97 |
| Enterwine's Score | 97 |
| Media rating | 96 |
| Other guides | J. Suckling: 98 points. T. Atkin: 97 points. |
| Percentage of variety | Tempranillo 95%, Graciano 3%, Mazuela 3%. |
| Pairings | Aged cheeses, Alone, Chocolate, Civet, Cured cheeses, Red meat with gravy, Roasted foods, Rosted piglet, Specialty Spanish prosciutto |
| Taste | Complex and Elegant, Silky and intense, Tasty with barrel notes, Very intense and inky |
| Occasion | A special occasion, Romantic Dinner, To bring to an engagement |
| Red Grapes | Tempranillo |
