Robert Parker, 91 pts
"The classic Haro-styled red 2015 Viña Alberdi, sold abroad with the mention of Reserva and in Spain as Crianza, is a good introduction to the house style: balsamic reds with abundant notes of sweet spices and cigar ash, developed aromas of forest floor and a creamy twist making small concessions for a fresher and cleaner profile in the last few years but keeping the classic style. There are notes of ground tobacco and earth, and the palate is seamless and sleek, with polished tannins and a soft mouthfeel."
James Suckling, 93 pts
"Aromas of subtle red fruit with plums, spice, and cedar. Some dried flowers and dried spices, such as paprika. It’s medium-bodied with some pretty, ripe fruit in the center palate, fine tannins, and a citrus and cedar undertone to the finish. Drink or hold."
La Rioja Alta
Founded by 5 Riojan families in 1890 in the famous Haro Station district as "Sociedad Vinicola de la Rioja Alta", and with their first president being Saturnina Garcia Cid y Garate (Remarkable that Saturnina was a woman, quite rare at the time. This shows the innovative and modern spirit of this historic winery since its inception). Their first winemaker was a Monsieur Vigier, a French man who create Rioja Alta's Gran Reserva 890 as his first wine.
It wasn't until 1904 that Alfredo Ardanza, founder of the Ardanza winery, proposed to merge both companies, which eventually became "La Rioja Alta S.A." in 1941.
