Wine: La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2001
Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Viticulture:
Tempranillo is sourced from the oldest estate vineyards in the Rioja Alta subzone, primarily in the municipalities of Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes come from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno. All vineyards are over 40 years old.
Tempranillo is sourced from the oldest estate vineyards in the Rioja Alta subzone, primarily in the municipalities of Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes come from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno. All vineyards are over 40 years old.
Winemaking:
Alcoholic fermentation took 12 days, with devatting five days later. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in stainless steel tanks over 35 days. In February 2002, the wines were moved to 225-liter American oak barrels (average age of 4 years) for a 4-year aging period. They were periodically racked using the traditional barrel-to-barrel method every 6 months. Very lightly filtered and bottled in June 2006. Minimum of 72 months of bottle aging before commercial release.
Alcoholic fermentation took 12 days, with devatting five days later. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in stainless steel tanks over 35 days. In February 2002, the wines were moved to 225-liter American oak barrels (average age of 4 years) for a 4-year aging period. They were periodically racked using the traditional barrel-to-barrel method every 6 months. Very lightly filtered and bottled in June 2006. Minimum of 72 months of bottle aging before commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Garnet-red color with medium-high depth; highly extracted and clean,
luminous, and well-covered. Brilliant garnet reflections, radiant with a
marked sense of youth. Narrow coppery rim, well-defined against the
meniscus.
Nose:
Significant initial presence. It comes forward directly, perhaps
excessively voluminous. The impression is of a bold red—"echao
p'alante"—sturdy to excess and opulent, yet contradictory due to its
structural fruity austerity. Beneath the "pyrotechnics" of descriptors
lies one of the wines with the most potential in years. It balances
between the immediacy of most 2001s and the restraint typical of La
Rioja Alta. The core is mineral, deep, and pure—almost inaccessible
right now but unmistakable. It whispers: "Give me time."
Palate:
Follows the same script. It is shielded by quality oak, elegant toast,
and fine tannins—ripe and spiced—that make it appear almost "obese." The
key here is its rock-solid acidity and an electric nerve that barely
lets its hidden layers through. Despite claims of silkiness and
roundness, it remains "raw" and saves its best for the future. An
absolute animal that should still be resting in the cellar.
Commentary:
A 904 with extraordinary potential but currently far from its peak. It is a muscular version of the house style that demands patience to achieve the legendary balance of its predecessors.
A 904 with extraordinary potential but currently far from its peak. It is a muscular version of the house style that demands patience to achieve the legendary balance of its predecessors.
Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Average: 93
Tasting Group Average: 93
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