Jess

9.2

Medium-deep ruby-garnet color.
Aromas of baked cherry, tomato leaf.
Dry. Flavors of dried cherry, tomato leaf, roasted herbs, spices, floral. Medium-rich, velvety tannins. Beautiful!

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 5/5 — 3 days ago

Ian Hamel

9.1

2023/6/28. Translucent strawberry, brown spice and a bit of cheesy oak(?) make this a bit reminiscent of an old-school Rioja (Ardanza, Bosconia…) Tangy, lip-smacking acidity is the primary structural element. It feels fully ready and might have much room for further development, but it’s delicious! — a year ago

Rob French

9.1

Great! More vanilla than spice. — 3 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.5

Aroma is uncanny; a perfume of rose petals and coconut cream wafting from the glass. Totally beguiling. Vanilla and marzipan lead the way with fresh and dried red berries, red cherries, dried flowers and orange peel. So polished, but this needs more time for the oak and fruit to integrate. The 2010 Ardanza remains my favorite now for its classical balance. — 3 years ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.2

Bruno likes Riojas🐶 — a month ago

Will Stanley

9.3

Brief notes, but this is a fantastic, traditional Rioja Reserva bottled exclusively for The Wine Society by La Rioja Alta, with whom they have a long-standing relationship. ‘874’ is a reference to the Society’s founding date, 1874, in a similar theme to the 904 and 890 Gran Reservas from La Rioja Alta. This wine is made in the same mould as others from this traditional bodega, sharing closest resemblance to the Ardanza Reserva though at around half the price – and it’s a big step up from the Alberdi Reserva. I bought twelve bottles of this at just under £10/btl, so it represents screaming value, and though it lacks a little of the complexity of wines such as Ardanza, it is a tremendous, classical Rioja that would put a smile on many a purist’s face. I’m smitten – and excited to see how it ages. — 7 months ago

Rob N

9.1

I actually quite enjoyed this wine — some similarities to the Rioja Alta Ardanza I had a few days ago. Low residual sugar, but also low tannin, pretty dry and with more secondary characteristics than I would expect for a wine this age. Still some mouth pucker, though. — 3 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

Nose: blackberry. Vanilla.

Palate: silky. Elegant. Delicious. Cherry fruit. Subtle. Not super dense. — a month ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

Solid well-priced #rioja #organic matured in new oak, the first aromas are milk, cream and vainilla but then it opens up. It reminded me of an Ardanza — a year ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

For a few tics above 20$( on sale), like a slightly scrawny brother of Rioja Alta Ardanza- brings the old school reserva profile-dark, dusted fruits, violet petals, medium plus acidity & just lovely elegance-but can’t compete with its older brothers depth & heft. Still, a favorite maker in Rioja (their 15$ white is smashing), a QPR, & given their vintners former working relationship w Rioja Alta, always worth seeking out. Delectable comments about its simplicity may be related to vintage….? — 3 years ago