I am excited to offer you this inaugural First Release of a very special 100% garnacha, created exclusively for Wine Society members by La Rioja Alta.
The idea for this spin-off of our hugely popular, exclusive 874 Rioja Reserva came about during the blending of the latest vintage. One of the highlights of my year, this involves a process of experimentation and fine-tuning, by blending the very best of La Rioja Alta’s plots and barrels to achieve something distinctive and offering exceptional value.
Order by midday, Tuesday 17th November
One of the components is a particularly fine barrel of garnacha, fruit that would ordinarily find its way into the celebrated Viña Ardanza Reserva. It came from their La Pedriza plot in Tudelilla, a high-altitude, mountainous landscape of almond groves, scrubland and vines in Rioja Oriental, known to be one of the best terroirs for old-vine garnacha.
Both last year and this, Julio Sáenz, La Rioja Alta’s winemaker, and I were struck by its quality, remarking that it was quite capable of making a superb wine in its own right. I could see the excitement in Julio’s eyes when I tabled the idea of bottling this all under its own label. La Rioja Alta has never produced a 100% garnacha in all their 136 years, but it didn’t take much persuasion: it tasted magnificent.
Fragrant and expressive, it combines peppery spice with vibrant, crunchy red fruit, underpinned by the depth, finesse and elegance of La Rioja Alta’s renowned house style. Garnacha is certainly having a moment, and it’s easy to understand why, with its ability to thrive in increasingly warm conditions while retaining freshness elegance and expressive fruit.
This is a very special addition to the 874 family, and one that I’m delighted to share exclusively with our members.
