Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2010: best 2020 to 2050.
vintage10 yrs40 yrs42 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2023 | 2010 | 98/100 |
| Decanter reviewed 2022 | 2010 | 97/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: dried strawberry, sandalwood, tobacco, truffle, balsamic
Palate: macerated cherry, leather, sweet spice, silky tannin
The house's pinnacle Gran Reserva, made only in exceptional years and aged around six years in oak; ethereal, sandalwood-scented and extraordinarily long, a benchmark for traditional Rioja.
What it pairs with
-
Roast wood pigeon
Mature game and 890's truffle-and-sandalwood depth are a grand match. -
Cordero asado al sarmiento
Vine-roasted lamb for one of Rioja's greatest Gran Reservas. -
Aged Manchego
Crystalline cheese sharpens the silky, savoury finish.
How to serve Gran Reserva 890
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast wood pigeon, Cordero asado al sarmiento, Aged Manchego. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The 890 commemorates the house's 1890 founding. Made only in the best years and aged around six years in American oak, it is one of Rioja's most revered Gran Reservas.
- 1890: Founding year commemorated by the 890 name
- 1973: Modern 890 Gran Reserva style established
- 2023: 2010 vintage acclaimed as a modern reference Gran Reserva
Facts
- Producer
- La Rioja Alta S.A. · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (95%), Graciano (3%), Mazuelo (2%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 6 years in American oak with manual racking, then very long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 150 to 350 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 40 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1973
Frequently asked about Gran Reserva 890
What does Gran Reserva 890 taste like?
On the nose, dried strawberry, sandalwood, tobacco, truffle, balsamic. On the palate, macerated cherry, leather, sweet spice, silky tannin. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a very long finish. The house's pinnacle Gran Reserva, made only in exceptional years and aged around six years in oak; ethereal, sandalwood-scented and extraordinarily long, a benchmark for traditional Rioja.
When should I drink Gran Reserva 890?
Drink 10 to 40 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Gran Reserva 890?
Roast wood pigeon is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Cordero asado al sarmiento and Aged Manchego. Mature game and 890's truffle-and-sandalwood depth are a grand match.
Is Gran Reserva 890 vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Gran Reserva 890?
The blend is Tempranillo (95%), Graciano (3%), Mazuelo (2%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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