During my handover visit at La Rioja Alta with winemaker Julio Saenz, I was delighted to taste a barrel sample of the 2021 blend of this popular Wine Society exclusive. Julio and my predecessor and colleague Pierre Mansour put this wine together last year, selecting some of best barrels from the bodega’s cellars. What a vintage to serve as a benchmark for me!
The purity of beautiful red fruit and freshness of the 874 2021, which is available in both magnum and bottle, is sensational, and I highly recommend reserving your share of this outstanding Rioja.
Order by midday on Monday 16th June
874’s name is based on 1874, the founding year of The Wine Society and is only available to you, our members. The 2021 blend is 72% tempranillo, 25% garnacha and 3% graciano, aged for two years in American oak. In Julio’s words, it was a 'semi-Atlantic' vintage, framed by perfect conditions, making this wine a joy to blend.
A spring heatwave marked the vintage, spurring early vine growth, as well as hot summer, allowing grapes to ripen and mature well. The timely arrival of the cool Cierzo wind, brought relief and ensured balanced ripening resulting in beautifully poised fruit.
The result is an aromatic, fresh Rioja, irresistibly fruity and juicy, but fleshy and complex, too. Reserve it now and look forward to layers of bramble and red cherry fruit, savoury tobacco leaf and leather and graceful and bright tannins – the hallmarks of a top bodega in an excellent vintage.
