
This vintage was officially rated as Excellent, which coincides with our assessment. After bud break at the normal time of the year, moderate, well-distributed spring rains led to proper canopy development, which lasted until fruit set, helping to balance production. September temperatures were moderate during the day and cool at night, allowing the grapes to acquire the typical traits of this part of Rioja.
Tempranillo (95%) and Mazuelo (2%) from estate-owned vineyards in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba and Graciano (3%) from our Montecillo vineyard.
The selected clusters were picked manually into boxes that were transported to the winery in refrigerated vehicles. After gentle destemming and crushing, the wines underwent an unhurried fermentation. Subsequently, the best batches were put in barrels, where they were aged for 6 years with 10 traditional rackings. During this time, we carried out new selections, so there were only 199 barrels in the final blend. These were bottled in March 2012. We produced 57,036 ¾-litre bottles and 1,312 1½-litre magnums. The wine has not been filtered in order to preserve all the aromatic components.
Ruby-red with an incipient brick rim. Classic aroma. Intense, with notes of cured leather, stewed plums and raisins, tobacco and sweet spices, vanilla and dark chocolate. Elegant, mature, complex mouthfeel. Outstanding structure and well-balanced acidity with silky tannins. Its classic Rioja bouquet stands out big, complex and round, with an elegant finish. A Gran Reserva 890 with a magnificent present and a promising future.
Gran Reserva 890 is our most special wine. Recommended with main courses with light sauces, meat stews with herbs and desserts with chocolate. It is ideal as an after-dinner drink.