But Bodegas LAN is a relative newbie in this time-honored region, and does things a bit differently. Formed in 1972 in Rioja Alta, the name of this estate is an acronym based on the Rioja provinces of Logroño, Alava and Navarra. They produce a wide range of wines, from inexpensive, early-drinking bottles, to deeper, concentrated wines that benefit from years of cellar aging.
LAN’s best wines come from the Viña Lanciano vineyard, a 180-acre property that sticks out like a thumb into a bend of the Ebro River. Divided into 22 parcels, Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano and Garnacha vines (some of which 60 years old) dig into rocky, riverbed soils. Being surrounded by water helps shield these vines from temperature extremes during the year.
Another thing about LAN that makes it unique is their barrel regimen and cellar room. The cellar has about 20,000 casks stacked in different pyramids. Installed around 2000, LAN has an automatic stacking and racking system that keeps their barrels organized. Every six months, the barrels are racked, emptied and tasted, allowing the winemaking team to adjust barrel regimen if needed.
LAN also uses a wide selection of oak types, sourced from France, America, Russia, Hungary and Spain. Hybrid casks (with American oak staves and French oak heads) are used for the LAN Crianza and Reserva.
In November, I had the opportunity to taste through a bunch of wines from Bodegas LAN with Winestudio, a wine education and marketing program. It was an interesting time, learning about these wines, and being reminded about how much quality these wines can show, for relatively few dollars.
These wines were received as samples and tasted sighted.
2016 Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
$13
This has a pleasantly smoky nose with tangy red cherries, raspberries, and notes of menthol, vanilla and herbs. Medium-bodied, light/moderate tannins, tangy acidity. Juicy black cherries topped in roasted herbs, mint, coffee and pepper. Has an easy-drinking personality, but also shows some solid complexity for a Crianza. Aged 14 months in hybrid oak barrels, includes about 4% Mazuelo. (87 points)
2011 Bodegas LAN Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
$23
Light purple color. Lovely depth of dark fruit aromas (cassis, black cherries), with lots of anise, violets, potting soil, spiced tea – inviting, integrated aromas. Medium-bodied with structured tannins, nuanced edges, moderate acidity. Nice core of blackberries, red and black currants, fleshy but tangy fruit. Complex earthy, smoky, charcoal, tobacco, violets. There’s a really crisp finish with all sorts of floral and spice tones. Three to four years could do this well. (90 points)
2016 Bodegas LAN Rioja D-12 Tenth Edition - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
$20
Bright purple color. Quite concentrated on the nose, with red and black cherries, topped in mesquite, pepper, roasted herbs and vanilla. Smooth and velvety on the palate, built well though, with solid grip for a Crianza, and lively acidity. Smooth black cherries and crunchy dark plums, blended with smoky herbs, tobacco leaf, autumn forest and vanilla. Fresh and accessible but “serious,” too. Really opens up with some air, this is a delightful Crianza. All Tempranillo, aged 70% new American oak and 30% new French oak. A blend from a 30 year-old vineyard located in Lanciego (Rioja Alavesa) and one in Rioja Alta. (89 points)
2015 Bodegas LAN Rioja Xtreme Ecologico Crianza - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
$18
Bold purple color. Saucy aromas of black cherries, plum sauce, roasted fig, along with smoky earthy, coffee grounds, violets and spicy black tea. Medium-bodied, moderate tannins fresh acidity, this is bright but structured, balanced quite well. Tangy black cherries and roasted figs mix well with lots of floral complexities, earth, herbs. A lot of refinement for a Crianza, this is lovely now, but two to four years should do it good. All Tempranillo sourced from an organic plot in the Lanciano estate, aged 14 months in French oak. (89 points)
2012 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
$18
Medium purple color. Aromas pop with juicy black cherries, red and black currants, with an enticing aspect of earth, smoke, charcoal and spicy herbs. Medium+bodied with smooth, integrated tannins and moderate acidity. Nice concentration of fruit (black cherries, currant compote), along with charcoal, graphite, fallen leaves and vanilla elements. Drinking well now but this could show more in a few years. Serious value in here. Aged 18 months in hybrid French/American oak barrels. (89 points)
$27
Deep ruby color. Nose shows tart, dark, crunchy cherries, laced with lots of tobacco, spiced black tea, anise and charcoal. Medium-bodied, really fresh and inviting, with velvety but structured tannins, the crisp, cool nature is really attractive. Red and black currants and cherries, raspberries, smooth, crunchy fruit. Notes of smoky charcoal, anise, black tea and chewing tobacco, with a graphite and mineral layer underneath. This should do well with five years in the cellar. Includes a combined 10% Graciano and Mazuelo, sourced from old vines in the Lanciano estate, this wine is aged 14 months in French oak, and then eight months in Russian oak. (91 points)
2016 Bodegas LAN Rioja Edición Limitada - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
$36
Vibrant purple color. Rich core of suave red and black cherries and currants, lots of tobacco, mint, anise, black tea, cocoa powder, vanilla. Medium/full-bodied, nice grip, solid but not abrasive tannins, lively acidity — balance is on point. Gobs of dark cherries and currants, the fruit is ripe but lively. The wine is loaded with graphite, tobacco, mint and coffee. Needs air to coax out the full host of herbal, spicy complexities. Built for aging, but suave and vibrant now as well. Sourced from 35- to 40-year-old vines in the El Rincon parcel of the Lanciano estate, this includes some Mazuelo and Graciano as well. Aged nine months in new French oak, then five months in new Russian oak. (92 points)
This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.
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