Wine: La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2005
Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Winery Link: riojalta.com
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
Alcohol: 13.5% vol.
Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja)
Winery Link: riojalta.com
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
Alcohol: 13.5% vol.
Winemaking:
The Tempranillo is sourced from estate-owned vines over 40 years old, located 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. Alcoholic fermentation lasted 12 days, followed by devatting five days later. Malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks over 15 days, with a final selection of lots completing the process after 38 days. In March 2006, the wine was transferred to 225-liter American oak barrels (manufactured in-house, with an average age of 4 years) for aging. It underwent traditional manual rackings by candlelight every six months. It was moved to tanks and bottled in November 2010, followed by a minimum of five years of bottle aging in the winery’s underground cellars before its commercial release in November 2015.
The Tempranillo is sourced from estate-owned vines over 40 years old, located 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. Alcoholic fermentation lasted 12 days, followed by devatting five days later. Malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks over 15 days, with a final selection of lots completing the process after 38 days. In March 2006, the wine was transferred to 225-liter American oak barrels (manufactured in-house, with an average age of 4 years) for aging. It underwent traditional manual rackings by candlelight every six months. It was moved to tanks and bottled in November 2010, followed by a minimum of five years of bottle aging in the winery’s underground cellars before its commercial release in November 2015.
Appearance
Intense reddish color with medium-high depth; highly extracted, dark, and opaque. Brilliant pomegranate reflections. Clean, with no signs of sediment. Narrow rim, sharply defined against the meniscus.
Intense reddish color with medium-high depth; highly extracted, dark, and opaque. Brilliant pomegranate reflections. Clean, with no signs of sediment. Narrow rim, sharply defined against the meniscus.
Nose
The
nose is muted and austere, lacking the traditional aging expression
that usually characterizes this wine in its early years. Notes of
macerated black fruits, unintegrated oak, smoke, black liquorice, and
spices appear without any discernible order or personality.
Palate
On
the palate, it is brusque and concentrated—toasty, voluminous, and
redundant, with a heavy structure. It is difficult to drink and tiring,
showing almost no freshness and not a hint of its own soul. This is what
they do to elephants in India. It certainly "deserves" those 96 Parker
points! "A great classic... At this quality level this is a bargain."
Pure irony, Luis Gutiérrez!
Commentary
There is an evident shift in style by the winery. This is a "suspiciously" modern wine that founders against the estate’s century-old history. This is not what one looks for in a 904, nor what one is willing to pay 80 euros for. If the winery seeks to harvest high scores to attract a new audience and increase revenue, it would be better off creating a new brand with its own identity. One cannot live off past prestige alone. The word that best summarizes this wine is disappointment.
There is an evident shift in style by the winery. This is a "suspiciously" modern wine that founders against the estate’s century-old history. This is not what one looks for in a 904, nor what one is willing to pay 80 euros for. If the winery seeks to harvest high scores to attract a new audience and increase revenue, it would be better off creating a new brand with its own identity. One cannot live off past prestige alone. The word that best summarizes this wine is disappointment.
Personal Score: 82
Tasting Group Average:
Tasting Group Average:
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