La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 2011 750ml is one of Spain's most iconic and collectible red wines, crafted only in exceptional vintages and regarded as the flagship expression of the historic La Rioja Alta winery. Made from 95% Tempranillo, with small additions of Graciano and Mazuelo, the wine is sourced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards in Rioja before being aged for an extraordinary six years in American oak barrels and further matured in bottle. this exceptional Gran Reserva displays remarkable depth and elegance with complex aromas of ripe black fruit, cedar, leather, truffle, tea leaves, dark chocolate, sweet spices and forest floor. The palate is silky, powerful and beautifully balanced, supported by refined tannins, vibrant freshness and an exceptionally long, savoury finish. 

James Suckling | JS 98
Published: May 13, 2026

Blueberries, violets, tea, dried herbs and a subtle earthy nuance on the nose. The palate is crystalline, with subtle, focused tannins and a faint saline edge. Cohesive and well crafted, with notable aromatic intensity. A wine to return to, exceptional in its balance and precision. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95
Published: MMar 12, 2026
Drink: 2024-2034

There's no new 890 until 2028, so this year, I once again tasted the 2011 Gran Reserva 890, their longest-aging red, which matured in used American oak barrels for six years, and produced just three or four times per decade. It's mostly Tempranillo with 3% Graciano and 2% Mazuelo, with the Graciano vinified separately. 2011 was a warm and ripe year, but the wine has medium ripeness and 14% alcohol, with a pH of 3.7 and 5.8 grams of acidity. It has a tertiary nose, with notes of wet fur, leather, truffles, spices, earth and forest floor, decayed leaves and a hint of smoke. The palate is velvety, with fully resolved tannins and a long, very tasty finish. It's by far the most evolved of the wines I tasted this time, with some rustic character, starting to show notes of iodine and an earthy touch. It might not be as long lived as I initially anticipated. It finishes with a slight bitterness. 60,956 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2016.

This Haro winery has 588 hectares of vineyards and only produces wines from their own grapes. They age their wines in 35,000 barrels, all 225-liter and made from American oak with an average age of four years. They produce an average of 1.5 million bottles per year, so they have the equivalent of eight years in stock between barrels and bottled wine. This year, they release their second Selección Especial from Viña Alberdi, the 2021 (the first was 2001). The range I tasted was very impressive and clean, in the more traditional style.

Jancis Robinson | JR 17.5
Published: Feb 16, 2026
Drink: 2022-2030

95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, 2% Mazuelo. Hand-harvested, alcoholic fermentation over 16 days at temperatures below 26 °C. Tempranillo and Mazuelo were blended in the vineyard and fermented together, while the Graciano was vinified separately. Spontaneous malolactic conversion. Aged for six years in barrels, undergoing ten rackings. Bottled in July 2018. TA 6 g/l, pH 3.66.
Deep garnet. Evolved aromas of undergrowth but also with a touch of mint. Leathery, powerful, with all the complexity of bottle-aged aromas and flavour: spice, leather, mint. Big but balanced wine. Julia Harding MW

Vivino | Vivino 4.5

Tile red colour. The initial aroma is both complex and powerful. In the mouth the wine is powerful and balanced with smooth and silky tannins coupled with a noteworthy light acidity. The aftertaste is full and very complex leaving the flavours full on the palate.

Riojalta.com

After an initial period of water scarcity, our high-altitude vineyards in Rioja achieved balanced growth thanks to the reserves accumulated. The end of the cycle was marked by sunny days and cool nights, with significant temperature variation that benefited the ripening process. We highlight the excellent color intensity, significant polyphenolic richness, and outstanding grape health, resulting in exceptional wines ideal for long aging. Officially rated as Excellent.

Tempranillo (95%) and Mazuelo (2%) from estate-owned vineyards in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba and Graciano (3%) from our Montecillo vineyard. 

Hand-harvested in 20 kg boxes with an initial grape selection in the vineyard. The grapes were transported refrigerated to the winery to preserve their integrity. After gentle destemming and crushing, alcoholic fermentation took place over 16 days at temperatures below 26°C. Tempranillo and Mazuelo were blended in the vineyard and fermented together, while Graciano was vinified separately. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally.

After natural winter stabilization, we selected the finest wines, which were then aged for six years in barrels, undergoing ten traditional rackings. During this period, we carefully selected, through tasting and analysis, the barrels that best represented the character of Gran Reserva 890. Bottled in July 2018.

Clean and bright, with an intense garnet color and delicate brick-red edges. Remarkable intensity and aromatic complexity, embodying the essence of a classic Rioja Gran Reserva. Notes of raisins and candied black plums blend harmoniously with subtle aromas from barrel aging and bottle maturation: Lebanese cedar, tea leaves, cinnamon, dark chocolate, vanilla, pepper, and nutmeg. On the palate, seamlessly balancing the elegance and power of its tannins with refined freshness and equilibrium. The finish is broad and intense, with lingering balsamic and sweet spice notes that contribute to its long and elegant bouquet. An optimal drinking stage, which will continue to evolve, gaining even greater finesse and complexity over time.

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.