La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial 890 2005 (1.5L)

95 Points, Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "I tasted the 2005 Gran Reserva 890 again, and I liked it better this time than in my previous review, even if I normally like the Gran Reserva 904 better than this bottling, as I find it better balanced. I tend to feel less energy in this wine, as it spends a very long time in barrel, six years in this case. 2005 was an excellent vintage, and they implemented some improvements in the harvest, introducing 350-kilo boxes and refrigerated transport to the winery, which they think provides better grapes and potentially better quality of the wines. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins have mostly melted, and it has lively acidity that lift the wine up. This is a very classical and polished Rioja. 57,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2012." 06/19

97 Points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous: "Shimmering garnet. Aromas of dried cherry, potpourri, vanilla, cigar box and exotic spices; a smoky mineral quality builds in the glass. Sweet, concentrated and seamless on the palate, offering cherry compote, red currant and rose pastille flavors that put on weight and pick up a spicy nuance on the back half. Conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy and closes sweet and gently tannic, with superb persistence and an echo of candied flowers and red fruits. This bottling and the 2001 are the only Selección Especial versions of the 890 Gran Reserva that have been produced by La Rioja Alta." 11/20

98 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "The aromas to this are stunning with dried strawberry, stone and fresh mushroom. Full body and very tight with incredible depth and structure. It goes on for minutes. One of the greatest ever? The new 1964? Available January 2018." 01/18

95 Points, Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator (WS #4 wine of 2018):"Cedar and sandalwood aromas give way to flavors of tea, tobacco, dried cherry, forest floor and orange peel in this expressive red. Round on the palate, supported by muscular tannins and juicy acidity. Big but graceful, mature yet lively, in the traditional style. Drink now through 2030. 4,753 cases made." 09/18

97 Points, Sarah Jane Evans, Decanter: "No doubt about it: ‘This is the best 890 in our history,' declares Julio Sáenz, technical director of La Rioja Alta. Aromatically, it is overflowing with cherries, sweet spices, vanilla, rose, truffle, tobacco… The palate is laden. Superbly approachable now but with many years ahead. A total of 25,000 bottles produced; only made in the very best years. Gently aged: rackings were reduced from 12 to 10 times over the six years in barrel." 02/20