2011 | La Rioja Alta | Gran Reserva 904

Classical notes of blackberry, raspberry and orange zest, the fruit subsides to reveal wonderful savoury nuances of cigar box, liquorice, dark chocolate and subtly toasty oak. Rich, smooth and silky, yet with excellent natural freshness and elegance.

Reviews:

• Decanter: Surely one of the greatest wines in Spain (or anywhere), the 904 is symphonic in scope and structure. For me, the secret lies in the vines the 11% of Graciano, which adds acidity and spice, and the 32 months of ageing in American wood. Sweet and savoury notes rejoice together; red and black fruit, velvet generosity and subtle tannic grip; one could go on.

• James Suckling: Lovely dried red fruit, such as plums with just a hint of prunes. Cedar, walnut and leather undertones. Full-bodied with lots of fruit, considering its age, as well as hints of smoke, tobacco, bark and black tea. Some balsamic at the finish.

Producer Information

La Rioja Alta is one of the foremost estates in the Rioja region, formed in 1890 by five Riojan and Basque families. It is particularly known for its classically-styled, spicy Gran Reserva reds that can age gracefully for many decades. The winery shares its name with the Rioja Alta (Upper Rioja) subregion in which many of its operations are based.The estate consists of around 400 hectares (1000 acres) of vineyards around Rioja, planted predominantly to Tempranillo, but with a wealth of other varieties including Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo. La Rioja Alta's original winery is in Haro, but there is a second site in Labastida in Rioja Alavesa that was built in 1996. The Haro winery includes a cooperage, where barrels are made from American oak.The flagship wine of La Rioja Alta's portfolio is the Gran Reserva 890. It is made from selected clusters and is aged for around six years in first-use barrels. The Gran Reserva 904, the second wine, is aged for four years in oak and has a similar proportion of Tempranillo than the 890 – around 90 percent.La Rioja Alta also makes a range of wines at Reserva level, and the Viña Ardanza, which has a higher proportion of Garnacha. Two other wines, the Viña Arana and the Viña Alberdi, complete the range.

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