One of the world’s great fine wines, and one of Rioja’s most recognisable and sought after labels, the Gran Reserva 890 is the epitome of La Rioja Alta’s traditional style, named after their year of founding in 1890.

At a lunch introducing the new releases, Guillermo de Aranzabal, President of La Rioja Alta, said that "if 904 is silk, 890 is velvet" and i would say this analogy is spot on. 904 is a softer, silkier wine that shows delicacy through its richness. 890 is a deeper, more concentrated, dark-fruited wine, more powerful but still possessing the effortless charm and velvety texture that the domaine are famous for. It takes longer to really open up in the glass, and has the capacity to age even longer in the cellar. Released after spending 6 years in American oak and a further 8 years in bottle. Only the finest grapes make it into the cellar and only the very best barrels make it into the 890.

Only produced in the very best vintages – usually only 2 or 3 times each decade – and only using fruit from the finest plots in the best high-altitude vineyards - barrels are regularly tasted by winemaker Julio Saenz and only those that possess the richness and concentration for very long term ageing make the cut into the 890. 2011 follows the great 2010, and, having tasted both recently, i can vouch for the sheer brilliance of both vintages! 2010 was widely regarded as a great year in La Rioja, so it is easy to overlook 2011, but that would be a mistake. The 2011 sits comfortably up there with the very best wines the estate has produced.

N.B. This wine is not currently in stock but can be ordered, usually for delivery within a few weeks -  please email info@cellarselect.co.uk for availability and lead time, or it will be confirmed after an order is placed.