Wine: La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2004Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
ABV: 13.5%
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
ABV: 13.5%
Winemaking:
The Tempranillo was sourced from the winery's oldest estate vineyards in the Rioja Alta subzone, primarily within the municipalities of Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes come from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno. All vines are over 40 years old. Alcoholic fermentation lasted 12 days, followed by devatting five days later. Malolactic fermentation took place naturally in stainless steel tanks. In January 2005, the wine was transferred to 225-liter American oak barrels (manufactured in-house, with an average age of 4 years). It underwent traditional manual rackings by candlelight every six months. Following a very light filtration, it was bottled in February 2009 and aged for a minimum of 60 months in the winery’s underground cellars before its release.
The Tempranillo was sourced from the winery's oldest estate vineyards in the Rioja Alta subzone, primarily within the municipalities of Briñas, Labastida, and Villalba. The remaining grapes come from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno. All vines are over 40 years old. Alcoholic fermentation lasted 12 days, followed by devatting five days later. Malolactic fermentation took place naturally in stainless steel tanks. In January 2005, the wine was transferred to 225-liter American oak barrels (manufactured in-house, with an average age of 4 years). It underwent traditional manual rackings by candlelight every six months. Following a very light filtration, it was bottled in February 2009 and aged for a minimum of 60 months in the winery’s underground cellars before its release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Garnet-red with medium-high depth; well-extracted, covered, and very
dark. Refulgent and clean, showing no signs of sediment. It presents a
strong sense of youth compared to other vintages. Narrow, slightly
copper rim, well-defined against the meniscus.
Nose:
Honest and deeply traditional, showing many similarities with the 2000
vintage. It opens with sweet-toned aromas of ripe red fruits, orange
peel, Virginia tobacco, toffee, and molasses, with a backdrop of fine
marquetry (tung oil, lacquers). Impeccably defined, elegant, and open,
with vanilla infusions and a perfect balance. Nothing is superfluous
here; it is recognizable as a "904" from start to finish. It feels less
voluminous than the 2001—more poised—though with an evident need for
further bottle aging to develop its full range of nuances.
Palate:
Energetic on the entry, driven by an intense acidity that heightens the
initial sensation of dryness. It is vivid and full, with tannins that
remain somewhat marked and yet to be fully polished. The ensemble is
already remarkable: savory and fruit-forward, with that characteristic
"La Rioja Alta" sweetness adorned by toasted, spicy, and bitter notes.
Exceptionally long with a true Riojan DNA.
Commentary:
A great achievement by the winery, though it is still early to evaluate it at its full peak. While some suggest a subtle shift in style or nuances not seen in previous years, it remains a classic at heart. It was highly well-received by the tasting group.
A great achievement by the winery, though it is still early to evaluate it at its full peak. While some suggest a subtle shift in style or nuances not seen in previous years, it remains a classic at heart. It was highly well-received by the tasting group.
Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Average: 92
Tasting Group Average: 92
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