La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 2015

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La Rioja Alta
Gran Reserva 904 2015

Vintage : 2015
Country : Spain
Region : Rioja
Subregion :
Type : Red
Style : Deep Full Bodied
Format : 75cl
Alcohol : 13°
Grappes : 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano

Experts		Score	Vintage
JS	James Suckling	96	2011
RP	Robert Parker	94	2011
DCT	Decanter	94	2011
VN	Vinous (Antonio Galloni)	94	2011
TA	Tim Atkin	97	2010
W&S	Wines & Spirits	92	2010
WE	Wine Enthusiast	91	2010
WS	Wine Spectator	91	2010
JR	Jancis Robinson	17	2009

More information on wine critics and ratings

Tasting Note (PDF)

Description
Video
Reviews
From the same producer

Enticing scents of balsam, spice, leather and coconut lead onto a silky smooth, medium-bodied palate with more notes of leather, spice, coconut and chocolate.

A very elegant mouthfeel with layered complexity, a well-rounded palate, good grainy tannins and linear acidity running through the core. Incredible length on the finish with lingering notes of spice and roasted coffee.

Structured, extremely elegant and refined, this is drinking beautifully now but will certainly benefit from extended cellaring.

James Suckling (JS) : 96 Points (2011)

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. Traditionally styled with lovely results. Drink or hold.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2011)

I usually prefer the 904 to the 890, but there will be no Gran Reserva 890 until the 2010 vintage (from the last vintage I tasted, 2005). So, the only one of the extended-aging Haro-style reds I tasted this time was the 2011 Gran Reserva 904, which had a hard act to follow after the 2010 vintage. It's a blend of 89% Tempranillo and 11% Graciano matured in American oak barrels for four years, and it was racked eight times from barrel to barrel during its élevage, which sounds a bit harsh for a vintage like 2011 when the wines were not as complete and robust as in 2010. It has the classic profile, aromas and flavors (decayed leaves, tobacco, sweet spices, a meaty touch and some black fruit), but the oak seems to take a more leading role and the palate feels less juicy. It finishes dry.

Decanter (DCT) : 94 Points (2011)

Oak and red fruit nose. The palate has mouth-watering acidity, fine-grained/well-knit tannins and notes of citrus peel, spice and baked brambles. Long finish.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 94 Points (2011)

The 2011 Rioja Gran Reserva 904 has been one of my go-to cuvées since my earliest days as a wine lover. This latest release is a blend of 60-year-old Tempranillo from Briñas, Rodenzo and Villalba (89%) and the remainder Graciano from the Montecillo vineyard. Fully de-stemmed and aged for 54 months in American oak, it was bottled in November 2016. This is more reticent and less forthcoming on the nose compared to the Viña Ardanza, gradually unfolding to reveal enticing scents of raspberry, crushed strawberry, warm leather, terra cotta and a touch of meat juice. This needed more decanting than the Ardanza. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-grained tannins, and ultra-smooth in terms of texture. Layers of red fruit laced with clove, sprigs of fresh mint and blood orange dovetail into a soy-tinged finish that you expect to fan out, though it declines; it needs maybe another 12–18 months to really show what it is capable of. Magnificent.

Tim Atkin (TA) : 97 Points (2010)

A step up on the memorable 2009, this shows just how special the 2010 vintage was. Marrying fruit from Briñas, Villalba and Rodezno, it's a perfectly judged marriage of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano. Savoury wild herb notes segue into a palate that's focused, balanced and graceful with the concentration and backbone to age.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 92 Points (2010)

Graciano adds fragrant red-fruit notes to this tempranillo’s darker tones, while fine oak contributes some charry tannins. This is an elegant wine with underlying firmness and power, compellingly easy to drink on release. You could take it in a meaty direction, with the bones of grilled lamb chops to chew on, or focus on its elegance with roast fish and morels.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 91 Points (2010)

Earthy aromas of dried red fruits are spicy and leafy, with no overt ripeness whatsoever. A mix of racy acidity and pulpy fruit makes for a balanced palate with La Rioja Alta’s patented elegance, while this tastes of earthy cherry and dried red currant. Only on the finish does one catch a touch of berry ripeness and raisin. Drink through 2030.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 91 Points (2010)

This light, polished red offers woodsy flavors of forest floor and loamy earth, with a core of cherry and berry fruit and vanilla and spice accents. Graceful and harmonious. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2030.

Jancis Robinson (JR) : 17 Points (2009)

Luminous ruby. Intense nose that recalls molten butter as well as rich, ripe, delectable animal aromas. Great sweetness but no obvious oakiness. Clearly some bottle age here and some delightful freshness. Savoury note on the finish. 17/20 points. (JR) (12/2017)

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