Bodegas LAN Reserva 2018

Bodegas LAN Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2018

Grapes: A blend of 92% Tempranillo, 4% Garnacha & 4% Mazuelo, aged 22 months in oak with a further 22 months in bottle

Producer Tasting Note:

This wine is intense garnet in colour. Aromas of juicy plum, cherries and blackberries are married with notes of vanilla and spices from oak ageing and subtle earthy hints from bottle age. The palate is exceptionally well-structured, with velvety tannins and a vibrant acidity which carries the complex flavours onto the lingering finish.

Critics Tasting Notes:

"A fresh nose with good depth and complexity. Spiced cherries, berries, dark chocolate and touches of wet earth and mushrooms. Medium-bodied and succulent on the palate, with lots of juicy fruit and a very long, fine-grained finish. Not the most concentrated expression of Rioja, but this shows the elegance, crunch and freshness of 2018. Delicious now, but can hold well." 

91/100 points, James Suckling, June 2024

"Color: deep cherry. Aroma: ripe fruit, dried herbs, spicy, cocoa bean. Flavour: ripe fruit, spicy, round tannins."

91/100 points, GUIA PENIN (Spain), April 2024

Also awarded  91/100 points by Tim Atkin MW, January, 2024

Estate: The Tempranillo and Mazuelo grapes are sourced from selected vineyards within the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa subzones from vines with an average age of 30-40 years. These vines produce lower yields of grapes with great concentration of flavour, which can stand up to extended periods of ageing in oak. The Sierra Cantabria mountains shelter the vineyards from the worst of the Atlantic weather systems and the vines thrive on a combination of calcareous and clay soils.

Founded in 1972, Bodegas LAN is situated in the heart of Rioja Alta. Though a relatively young producer, the bodega has gained a well-deserved reputation for excellent quality wines. Its name is an acronym of each of the provinces it straddles: Logroño, Álava and Navarra. 

Food Match: Roasted or grilled meats like lamb, pork, and beef. It also complements classics such as paella, tapas, and Spanish-style cured meats like Jamon and Chorizo