Spain · Rioja
La Rioja Alta
La Rioja Alta is one of Rioja's most respected and historically significant bodegas, founded in 1890 by five families from Rioja Alta and the Basque Country who combined their resources to create a bodega that could produce wines of the highest quality. The bodega is still owned by the founding families, now in the fifth generation, and maintains the traditional approach to Rioja winemaking: long oak aging in American barrique, minimum 10 years for the Gran Reserva 890 and 904, and only releasing wines when they are judged ready to drink. The flagship Gran Reserva 890 (named for the founding year) is made only in exceptional vintages and spends four years in American oak followed by years of bottle aging before release; the 904 is released more frequently and is more accessible in youth. The single-vineyard Viña El Pisón is also produced. At auction, La Rioja Alta wines represent excellent value among serious Rioja producers, with the Gran Reserva 890 from great vintages commanding premium prices for its extraordinary longevity and the complexity that traditional Spanish winemaking delivers.
Auction Lots
465
Avg Price / Bottle
$166
Top Vintage
2005
Price Range
$38 – $1.7k
In the Glass
La Rioja Alta shows traditional Rioja at its finest: Gran Reserva 890 delivers dried cherry, leather, vanilla, cedar, and earthy tobacco with the characteristic coconut note of American oak aging. The wines are mature but never tired, with an elegance and balance that comes from decades of careful cellaring.
Portfolio
| Wine | Colour | Avg Price | Lots Sold | Top Vintage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 904 Gran Reserva | Red | $146 | 314 | 2005 |
| 890 Gran Reserva | Red | $237 | 112 | 2001 |
| Vina Ardanza Reserva | Red | $114 | 39 | 2004 |
La Rioja Alta is based in the Rioja wine region.
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