La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 2005 Magnum

La Rioja Alta, S.A. was established in 1890 in Haro, in the celebrated Rioja wine region of northern Spain. It was founded by five local growers who shared a vision of producing wines of structure, elegance and long-term aging potential — at a time when many Rioja wines were simpler and less age-worthy. In 1904, an early milestone came when one founder’s own winery (Ardanza) merged with La Rioja Alta; this union helped shape the winery’s identity and gave rise to iconic labels such as Gran Reserva 904. The name La Rioja Alta refers both to the winery and to the Rioja Alta subzone — the high altitude western part of the Rioja DOCa, long associated with high-quality Rioja wines.

It is unusual for a great bodega of Rioja to own vineyards, but La Rioja Alta own 360ha from which they can source top-quality grapes, resulting in excellent fruit and richness throughout their wines. Tempranillo dominates the plantings, complemented with a small proportion of Garnacha and Graciano vines. The company is renowned for the quality of its Reservas and in particular for its Gran Reservas, the 904 and the 890. The latter are produced only in exceptional years, are amongst the finest wines being produced in Rioja today. Gran Reserva 890 is named, rather confusingly, after the date of the creation of La Rioja Alta (1890). It is the non-plus-ultra of the family, a wine that slumbers patiently for 6 years in oak, then is allowed to rest in bottle for a few more years before its released.

Cellar Master - Julio Sáenz
Winery Location: Haro | Rioja, Spain
Wine Region: Haro, Rioja
Annual Production (bottles): 1,500,000

Cellar Master History at La Rioja Alta:

Julio Sáenz - 1996 to current
Julio Sáenz has been the guiding force behind the wines of La Rioja Alta for nearly three decades. He joined the estate in 1996, beginning his career there in quality control, where he developed an intimate understanding of the house style and its uncompromising standards. Over time, his role evolved from technical oversight to full oenological leadership, and in 2005 he was appointed Head Winemaker and Technical Director of the entire La Rioja Alta group.

In this position, Sáenz oversees production not only at La Rioja Alta in Haro, but also across the group’s other estates: Torre de Oña in Rioja Alavesa, Aster in Ribera del Duero, and Lagar de Cervera in Rías Baixas. His academic background is somewhat unconventional for a traditional Rioja winemaker — he first trained as a pharmaceutical chemist before completing formal studies in viticulture and oenology. This scientific foundation has shaped his meticulous, detail-oriented approach, bringing precision and analytical rigor to wines rooted in long-standing tradition.

Under his leadership, La Rioja Alta has continued to honor its classical Rioja identity — defined by extended ageing in barrel and bottle — while refining vineyard selection and strengthening quality control at every stage. The result is a portfolio that remains true to its heritage yet consistently meets modern standards of excellence. Sáenz’s contribution has not gone unnoticed; he has received significant industry recognition, including being named Best Winemaker by La Semana Vitivinícola, alongside high acclaim for the 2010 Gran Reserva 890 — a wine that exemplifies both the estate’s legacy and his steady hand at its helm.