Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva 2011

Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva is a red from D.O.Ca. Rioja, crafted by La Rioja Alta in Haro, in the heart of Rioja Alta. It is made only in vintages judged extraordinary, from the winery's own old vines, over forty years old, planted in the village of Rodezno. These estates have very poor limestone soils that give a scant crop of small, concentrated berries. The blend is led by Tempranillo with Graciano and Mazuelo. This is among the most traditional wines in Spain, aged for 72 months, six years, in American oak barrels and a further 60 months in bottle before release. The long oxidative cask ageing fades the colour, dissolves the tannins into silk and replaces primary fruit with tertiary complexity, while the American oak adds vanilla, coconut and sweet spice. It is pale ruby with a brick rim. The nose is fine and savoury, with dried fig, cherry, leather, tobacco and dried herbs over delicate vanilla oak. The palate is medium-bodied and seamless, with fine, resolved tannins, fresh acidity and a long, complex, gently oxidative finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant. It is a classic match for roast lamb and game.