La Rioja Alta
Reserva Selección 874 Rioja Tempranillo Blend
La Rioja, Spain
Suave, polished, and utterly drinkable, the 2019 Selección 874 from the Wine Society is a brilliant modern Rioja with great heritage. Produced by La Rioja Alta, this feels more forward and - perhaps, immediately - drinkable than the Ardanza, a more serious Reserva for the long haul. But this has plenty of stuffing to age well, and I think it will become a beautiful, graceful Rioja with another 15+ years in bottle. That’s if, of course, the rest of my case can wait…
27/6/26
Suave, polished, and utterly drinkable, the 2019 Selección 874 from the Wine Society is a brilliant modern Rioja with great heritage. Produced by La Rioja Alta, this feels more forward and - perhaps, immediately - drinkable than the Ardanza, a more serious Reserva for the long haul. But this has plenty of stuffing to age well, and I think it will become a beautiful, graceful Rioja with another 15+ years in bottle. That’s if, of course, the rest of my case can wait…
27/6/26
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.
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.
Mar 3rd, 2024