Rioja Grand Reserva “Viña Lanciano” 2017 – Bodegas LAN

To produce the Rioja Grand Reserva “Viña Lanciano” Bodegas LAN the hand harvested grapes underwent a double sorting process, first by bunch, then by berry. Fermentation took place in small stainless-steel tanks, with daily pump overs and a long post-fermentation maceration, to round out the tannins. Malolactic fermentation took place in small 225 litre French oak barriques sourced from the Tronçais forests. After fermentation, the wine spent 14 months in French Tronçais oak, 8 months in Russian oak, and then a further 20 months in bottle before release.

Viña Lanciano lies on a meander of the Ebro river where Rioja Alta meets Rioja Alavesa. The 72 hectares of south-facing vineyard are sustainably farmed and the vines are mostly gobelet trained with an average age of 35 years. There is a unique microclimate here thanks to the proximity of the river, which aids air circulation and helps to avoid the risk of frosts. Soils are mainly alluvial with a mixture of sand, stones and pebbles allowing for excellent drainage.

Founded in 1972, Bodegas LAN is situated in the heart of Rioja Alta. Though a relatively young Rioja house, Bodegas LAN has gained a reputation for the excellent quality of its wines. This quality is derived from the grapes they work with, grown in their spectacular Viña Lanciano vineyard and other prime vineyard sites in Rioja Alta and Alavesa, and from winemaker María Barúa’s great attention to detail in the winery. Viña Lanciano is one of largest and most striking single-vineyard sites in Rioja Alta, encircled by a meander of the Ebro river. The vineyard’s poor, stony soils and old vines, up to 60 years of age, are both conducive to low yields of very concentrated fruit. The site is divided into 24 plots of different soils and aspects and these are matched to the different grape varieties: Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo.