Bodegas LAN Rioja Gran Reserva
Swan's Nest Rd
Unit 30, Kilbarrack Shopping Centre
Grange
Dublin
D05 N2F6
Ireland
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About this product
Time, patience and the classic elegance of Rioja.
Bodegas LAN Gran Reserva is a wine built around one of Rioja's greatest strengths: the ability to turn time into flavour, texture and complexity. Made predominantly from Tempranillo and carefully selected from mature vineyards in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, this is a classic Spanish red with the depth and refinement that only extended ageing can bring. It is a wine that doesn't need to shout to make an impression — its character comes from patience, balance and the gradual transformation of fruit into something much more complex.
The grapes come from vines more than 40 years old, where naturally lower yields help concentrate flavour and structure. The 2017 vintage was a challenging one, marked by a major April frost and a hot, dry growing season, but the resulting crop was small and exceptional, receiving a "Very Good" classification from the Rioja Regulatory Council. LAN then gave the wine the time it needed, with prolonged maceration followed by 25 months in a combination of barrels and a further 36 months of bottle ageing.
That patience is immediately apparent in the glass. The youthful fruit of Tempranillo has evolved into layers of ripe black fruit, fig, spice and balsamic character, while the extended ageing brings hints of smoke and savoury complexity. Yet this is not an austere or overly serious Gran Reserva: the tannins are polished and approachable, the palate is beautifully harmonious, and the finish is long and persistent.
For wine lovers in Ireland, LAN Gran Reserva is an ideal bottle when dinner calls for something with a little more occasion behind it. It has the maturity to accompany rich food beautifully, but also the elegance to be enjoyed slowly on its own — preferably with good company and nowhere else to be.
Why we love it:
This is Rioja Gran Reserva in its most comforting form: mature, silky and packed with layers of flavour. The combination of old vines, Tempranillo, long oak ageing and years of bottle maturation gives LAN an extraordinary amount of character for its price. It's a bottle that feels special without being intimidating, and one that rewards you for slowing down and giving it your attention.
Country of origin
Spain
Region/Appellation
Rioja DOC
Grape variety
- Tempranillo
Tasting notes
Colour
Deep garnet red with a ruby rim, showing the evolution that comes with extended ageing.
Nose
Pronounced aromas of ripe black fruit, fig and mature berry fruit are intertwined with balsamic notes, warm spices, vanilla, subtle smoke and delicate savoury nuances.
Palate
Harmonious and beautifully balanced, with concentrated ripe fruit, gentle spices and polished, approachable tannins. The texture is smooth and rounded, while the long, persistent finish carries lingering notes of dark fruit, spice and subtle smoky complexity.
Food pairing
A mature Rioja like this is made for dishes with depth and flavour. Pair it with:
- Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic
- Slow-cooked beef and traditional stews
- Grilled or barbecued meats
- Roast game and venison
- Ibérico ham and Spanish charcuterie
- Mature Manchego, Cheddar or other hard cheeses
A wonderful choice for dining in Ireland, particularly alongside a Sunday roast, slow-cooked beef or a hearty winter dinner. Serve at 17–19°C and allow the wine to breathe for around 30 minutes before serving. Decanting is not strictly necessary, but a careful decant can help separate any natural sediment and allow the mature aromas to open beautifully in the glass.
Size, cl
75
ABV, %
14.0
About the producer
Founded in 1972, Bodegas LAN takes its name from the initials of the three Spanish provinces that make up the historic Rioja region: Logroño, Álava and Navarra. From its home in Fuenmayor, Rioja Alta, the winery has built a reputation for combining traditional Rioja ageing with a modern, precise approach to vineyard management and winemaking.
At the heart of the estate is Viña Lanciano, a striking 72-hectare vineyard surrounded by a curve of the Ebro River. The estate's stony soils and mature vines provide the concentration and character that have become central to LAN's identity. The winery is particularly renowned for its understanding of oak ageing and for allowing time to play an important role in the development of its wines.
The Gran Reserva is perhaps the clearest expression of that philosophy. Rather than rushing the wine onto the market, LAN gives it years of maturation between barrel and bottle, allowing the fruit, oak and tannins to gradually come together. The result is a classic Rioja with the generosity, elegance and maturity that make Gran Reserva such an enduring favourite.