La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2016
Details
La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2016
If one were to choose the archetypical Rioja, the wine La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva would probably be among the top three candidates for the title of "Quintessential La Rioja wine".
Described by La Rioja Alta winemaker Julio Sáenz as 'one of Rioja Alta 904's freshest and most sophisticated vintages', the 2016 edition of this Spanish red wine is made from a traditional blend of two local varieties. The Tempranillo (90% of the blend) is sourced from over 60-year-old vines, while the younger Graciano is grown in the town of Fuenmayor, not far from the winery's headquarters in Haro (Logroño).
The vinification process was carried out in stainless steel tanks. After finishing malolactic fermentation, this Gran reserva red wine was transferred into 4th and 5th year American oak barrels - built in the winery's own cooperage - and aged for 4 years. Racking was performed every 6 months.
Masterly crafted and aged by the La Rioja Alta winery, the wine La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2016 was bottled in May 2021. It was then stored for around 4 years in the cellar before its commercial release.
This Rioja red wine has a remarkable ageing potential.
We suggest that you gently decant it at least 1 hour before drinking.
120,000 bottles produced.
| Appearance | The wine La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva has a medium ruby colour with some reddish tinges and a brick red rim. |
|---|---|
| Nose | Marvelously evocative, this blend of Tempranillo and Graciano benefits from an excellent vintage and a skilfull ageing. The nose yields complex notes of ripe wild berries, jammy touches, and a string of wonderful aromas: vanilla, cocoa, coconut, tobacco leaves and, finally, a delicate, exotic scent of Moroccan leather over a balsamic background. |
| Palate | This classy red wine produced by Bodega La Rioja Alta is a fully grown-up wine, confident, silky and expressive. Toasted notes of arabica coffee combine with hints of spices and fresh hints of red berries. A crisp acidity wonderfully sustains the wine, but in a discreet, gentlemanly manner. A pure delight on the palate, the 2016 vintage of Gran Reserva 904 has a very long finish which leaves an aftertaste of tobacco, cocoa, underbrush, Moroccan leather and red fruit. |
| Our personal opinion | Simply put, La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2016 is the embodiment of La Rioja, one of the great wine regions in the world. |
| OTHER VINTAGES | Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 201: Enterwine 95. Parker 95. Guía Peñín 97. J.Suckling 97. T. Atkin 96. Guía Proensa 98. Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2011: Enterwine 94. Parker 94. Guía Peñín 96. Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2010: Enterwine 94. James Suckling 98. Guía Peñín 96. Tim Atkin 96. Parker 95+. Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2007: Enterwine 94. Parker 95. Tim Atkin 95. Guía Peñín 95. James Suckling 97. Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2005: Parker 96, Peñín 95, Enterwine 94. Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2004: Peñín 95, Parker 90, Tanzer 94. |
| Year | 2016 |
| Type | Red |
| D.O. | Rioja |
| Bottle size | 75 cl |
| Percentage of Alcohol | 14 |
| Serving tempurature | 16-18ºC |
| Should this wine be decanted? | One hour before serving |
| Does this wine follow the guidelines of biodynamic Farming? | No |
| Organic | No |
| Is this product free of sulfites? | No |
| Ageing | Gran Reserva |
| Type of ageing | Months in American oak barrels |
| Number of months aged in Barrels | 48 |
| Parker's Score | 96 |
| Peñin Score | 96 |
| Enterwine's Score | 95 |
| Media rating | 96 |
| Other guides | J.Suckling 97 points. T. Atkin 95 points. |
| Percentage of variety | Tempranillo 90%, Graciano 10%. |
| Pairings | Cooked foods, Cured cheeses, Game animals, Grilled vegitables, Mushrooms, Poultry, Red meat with gravy, Roasted lamb, Roasted lamb ribs, Roasted red meats, Rosted piglet, Specialty Spanish prosciutto , Stews, Vegetables |
| Taste | Complex and Elegant, Silky and intense, Tasty with barrel notes |
| Occasion | A special occasion, Romantic Dinner, To bring to an engagement |
| Red Grapes | Graciano, Tempranillo |
