La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 2011 (1x75cl)

La Rioja Alta was started in 1890 by five local vine growers in Haro. They seized the opportunity from the phylloxera in France to offer wine lovers a great alternative. They are one of the finest wineries for traditional Rioja. Their in-house cooperage makes their own barrels from American Oak and they do their racking by hand. Unusually for Rioja they are also a major vineyard owner. They are renowned for magnificent Reserve and Gran Reservas. Rioja Altas Gran Reserva 904 stands out for its remarkable complexity and outstanding ageing potential. It is a classic Rioja which is released in exceptional vintage. The 2009 reveals a bouquet of great aromatic complexity. Cassis and wild berry characters give way to delicate spices and sweet balsamic notes. The palate builds on the expansive aromas with concentrated sweet cherry flavours and notes of smoky tobacco and cedar spice balanced by refreshing acidity and silky smooth tannins. A blend of 90% Tempranillo with a seasoning of Graciano, this beautifully complex wine was matured in barrels for four years followed by a further three years in bottle. Although delicious for drinking now, it has the capacity to age for another twenty years or more.96 Tim Atkin

Reflecting the excellence of the vintage, as well as its power, this is the latest in a superb run of 904 Gran Reservas. Combining Tempranillo with 10% Graciano for added backbone and grip, its a wine that is (as ever) supremely drinkable on release, but will reward further cellaring. Spicy, aromatic and enticing, with the vanilla sweetness of American oak, savoury tannins and a core of stylish, balsamic-edged fruit. Traditional Rioja with a modern accent.

95 Wine Advocate

Time flies, and the 904 for sale is already the 2009 Gran Reserva 904, as they didn’t bottle it in 2008. They are only going to bottle their top wines in very good and excellent vintages, so there will be a 2010 and 2011 but no 2012, 2013 or 2014. This super classical cuve showcases the wines from Haro, silky and elegant after long aging in oak and a good future in bottle. 2009 was a powerful vintage, ripe but with good balance. The blend is approximately 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, fermented in stainless steel with a 78-day natural malolactic. The aging was in four-year-old American oak barrels crafted by their own coopers; the wines aged from April 2010 until April 2014. During that time, the wine was racked every six months, to be finally bottled in November 2014. This is usually my favorite wine from the portfolio, where the balance between aging and youth reaches its highest point. It’s developed but it keeps some fruit character, plenty of spices and balsamic aromas. The palate is polished but has some clout, with clean, focused flavors and a long, spicy and tasty finish. This represents good value for the quality it delivers. 150,000 bottles produced. Because they didn’t produce 890 in 2009, the grapes for the 890 were in this 904. As a curiosity, they uncorked a 1982, which was superb.