Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva “Culmen”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Grapes from 40 to 60-year-old vines coming from “Pago El Rincón,” located at LAN’s estate of “Viña Lanciano.”
- The grapes were hand sorted in LAN’s selection tables, where only individual grapes in perfect sanitary and ripeness conditions were allowed into the next phase of vinification.
- Lots of Graciano here.
- Modern style Rioja in all the right ways!
Varietal Composition: 88% Tempranillo, 12% Graciano
Elaboration: Did we mention how insane the sorting is here? Fermentation of de-stalked grapes took place under controlled temperature in small stainless steel tanks to obtain maximum color extraction. Malolactic fermentation took place in new French oak. Aged 26 months in new French-oak barrels followed by 20 months in the bottle before release.
PRESS
2019 – 94 Vinous
2017 – 94 James Suckling | 92 Wine Spectator
2015 – 96 Wine Spectator | 94 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Bodegas LAN is a relative newcomer to the Rioja scene, having been founded in 1972. The name “LAN” is an acronym for the three provinces that make up Rioja, Logroño, Alava, and Navarra.
LAN produces some of the most consistent, value-driven examples of Rioja on the market, and is also is an established leader on the premium side. LAN’s iconic 72 hectare Viña Lanciano vineyard sits on a breathtaking natural meander along the Ebro river and is the basis for most of the company’s top bottlings.
The spirit of experimentation and innovation permeates the culture at LAN, and winemaker María Barúa is continually pushing the limits and preconceptions people have of the region.