La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 2010 (1x75cl)

Gran Reserva is Rioja's longest legal ageing category: a minimum period in barrel and then a further minimum in bottle before the wine is allowed out. So a bottle like this has already had years of patience put into it before you buy it. 890 is the cuvee name La Rioja Alta uses for this bottling.

This is a special-occasion bottle rather than a weeknight one. Rioja reds are usually Tempranillo-led. Suits a proper dinner, a milestone, or a gift for someone who actually keeps a cellar.

Tasting notes

Long-aged Tempranillo-led Rioja usually shows dried red fruit, leather and savoury spice, with a silkier texture than a young red. Typically good with lamb, roast meats or aged cheese.