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La Rioja Alta
Based in Haro, La Rioja Alta is one of Rioja’s most famous, traditional wine producers – alongside the likes of López de Heredia, Muga and CVNE.
The estate is known for its Reserva and Gran Reserva bottlings, which manage to retain vibrant fruit even in their maturity. The focus is firmly on red wines, with Tempranillo dominating the blends, complemented by smaller portions of Mazuelo and Graciano.
There are three Reserva cuvées. Viña Alberdi is pure Tempranillo, aged for two years in barrel and two in bottle. Viña Arana is a blend of 95% Tempranillo with 5% Mazuelo, aged for three years in barrel and two in bottle. Viña Ardanza is the most traditional of the three, and the only cuvée which includes Garnacha in the blend (normally around 20-25%), with the rest Tempranillo, spending three and a half years in barrel, then two in bottle.
In exceptional vintages, La Rioja Alta produces Viña Ardanza Especial. While both Arana and Ardanza technically qualify as Gran Reservas, this designation is reserved for the 904 and 890 bottlings.
Gran Reserva 904 was first made to celebrate the acquisition of Bodegas Ardanza and its vineyards (some of the finest in the region) in 1904. A blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, it spends four to five years in cask and an additional four in bottle.
The Gran Reserva 890 takes its name from the year the company was founded (1890), and is only made in the best vintages. Normally 96% Tempranillo, with a little Mazuelo, it spends between six and eight years in oak, then six additional years in bottle prior to release.
Today, they also own properties in Ribera del Duero (Áster) and Rías Baixas (Lagar de Fornelos, S.A.), and produces a more modern style of Rioja at its Barón de Oña estate in Rioja Alavesa (purchased in 1995).
