2015 La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Grape | , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2040 |
In stock
6 items available
Description
The La Rioja Alta 'Gran Reserva 904', like its predecessors, is vinified from 90% tempranillo from more than 40 year old vineyards in BriƱas, Labastida and Villalba and 10% graciano from Briones and Rodezno. After manual harvesting and traditional vinification in stainless steel vats, the wine was aged in a labor-intensive manner. It matured for more than four years in American oak barriques produced at the winery. Since bottling, the wine has been maturing in the bottle for 5 years. Such a long maturation is unique for a wine in this price range! This Gran Reserva blend of tempranillo and graciano presents the typical terroir of the region. Together with Vega Sicilia and Tondonia, it is one of the flagships among the great traditional wines of Spain.
In order to make the highest possible quality wine, only vintage years are used where the harvest is exceptionally good. The wine will be made when the grapes have a high alcohol content, a good color and optimal aging. When the wine is ready to use, everything about the wine is perfect. This top Rioja has a very fine nose with notes of dried honey , cloves, raisins and wild heather that bloom in the glass. The taste is medium-bodied with a hint of orange peel . It dances on the palate , a memorable Rioja with style and panache . Wonderful to drink now (just open the bottle an hour in advance) but it can also be enjoyed for another 15 years.
FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Collect in the Checkout page. We are almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | La Rioja Alta |
| Grape | Graciano, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2040 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| James Suckling rating | 97 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis GutiƩrrez
Release Price:
$110
Drink Date:
2024 - 2035
They used the words subtlety, elegance, finesse, delicacy and silk to define the 2015 Gran Reserva 904 SelecciĆ³n Especial, a blend of 90% Tempranillo from their vineyards in Villalba, BriƱas and Rodezno with 10% Graciano from the Montecillo vineyard in Fuenmayor that was picked 23 days later than the Tempranillo. The grapes were sorted optically for the first time, and they fermented in stainless steel where the wine went through malolactic too. The wine was put in barrel in January 2016āused American oak barrels built by their own coopersāwhere it matured for four years, during which time it was racked every six months. 2015 was a healthy vintage with balanced ripeness that delivered wines with good aging potential. They thought the wine needed a little more time in bottle to polish those tannins and have decided to hold it and release the wine around March 2023; it will be marked SelecciĆ³n Especial, the first 904 to do so, as they have very high hopes for this year and believe it's one of the finest vintages. They think it will develop the sophistication in the palate with a little more time and that is should achieve the silkiness that is the signature of 904. This is very 2015; I saw quite strong tannins in all the 2015 wines I tasted from Rioja Alta. There are some 150,000 bottles of this.
The people from La Rioja Alta are looking for older vineyards in the Rioja Alta zone, mostly around Elvillar, in principle for the sister project Torre de OƱa. As they think they have done all the technical improvements possible, they believe the improvement has to come from the vineyards, so they are experimenting in that direction. In those vineyards, there is more white interplanted with the red. And they are also experimenting with white wine... As for what's currently released, I loved the 2010 Gran Reserva 890, a wine that to me epitomizes their style of reds with a long aging in barrel and in bottle. I found the wines from 2015 to be very tannic, a little rough even; they are very confident about the vintage, which they consider one of the best together with 2001, but the wines might need more time.
Published: Jul 14, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
LA RIOJA ALTA RIOJA GRAN RESERVA 904 2015
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
CountrySpain
RegionLa Rioja
Vintage2015
CHECK PRICE
DOWNLOAD SHELFTALKER
Score
98
Very impressive complexity and width on the nose, showing lots of savoriness with mushrooms, sandalwood, cedar, sweet spices, dried oranges and tobacco. Really even and juicy on the palate with fine and very present tannins. Juicy, creamy finish lasting a minute. Really elegant and layered. It goes on and on. A real Rioja Gran Reserva and I recommend buying a case! The first vintage that La Rioja Alta labelled āSeleccion Especialā. So appealing now, but this will evolve well in the next 20 years.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
98
Proensa - 98/100 voor de 2015
Atkins - 96/100 voor de 2015
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
We write the year 1890. Five Basque winegrowers from the Rioja set up the 'Sociedad VinĆcola de la Rioja Alta' in Haro on 10 July, thereby laying the foundation for the production of high-quality wines. From the very beginning, it is done professionally.
The French oenologist Vigier, who at the time was considered the authority in the field of wine knowledge, is recruited as an expert. In the year 1891 the wine gets its final name 'La Rioja Alta'. It is the birth of a legend. It would take until 1941 for the first wine to be registered as a trademark. This was the famous ViƱa Ardanza, still one of the most important wines of the Bodega. In the past, all barrels were made in their own cooperage. After a longer break, that tradition was restored in 2002. The wood imported from America dries for two years before being processed into barrels. 1970 was an important year with a new barrel cellar, the expansion of the vineyards and the purchase of excellent plots. This also meant the birth of ViƱa Arana and ViƱa Alberdi. Today, the winery is one of the classics of the Rioja. Wines such as the 'Gran Reserva 890' and 'Gran Reserva 904' are unforgettable experiences. But the above mentioned reserves are also excellent wines for those who love matured wines and the traditional rioja style. A jewel among the venerable bodegas!
The La Rioja Alta 'Gran Reserva 904', like its predecessors, is vinified from 90% tempranillo from more than 40 year old vineyards in BriƱas, Labastida and Villalba and 10% graciano from Briones and Rodezno. After manual harvesting and traditional vinification in stainless steel vats, the wine was aged in a labor-intensive manner. It matured for more than four years in American oak barriques produced at the winery. Since bottling, the wine has been maturing in the bottle for 5 years. Such a long maturation is unique for a wine in this price range! This Gran Reserva blend of tempranillo and graciano presents the typical terroir of the region. Together with Vega Sicilia and Tondonia, it is one of the flagships among the great traditional wines of Spain.
In order to make the highest possible quality wine, only vintage years are used where the harvest is exceptionally good. The wine will be made when the grapes have a high alcohol content, a good color and optimal aging. When the wine is ready to use, everything about the wine is perfect. This top Rioja has a very fine nose with notes of dried honey , cloves, raisins and wild heather that bloom in the glass. The taste is medium-bodied with a hint of orange peel . It dances on the palate , a memorable Rioja with style and panache . Wonderful to drink now (just open the bottle an hour in advance) but it can also be enjoyed for another 15 years.
FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Collect in the Checkout page. We are almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | La Rioja Alta |
| Grape | Graciano, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2040 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| James Suckling rating | 97 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis GutiƩrrez
Release Price:
$110
Drink Date:
2024 - 2035
They used the words subtlety, elegance, finesse, delicacy and silk to define the 2015 Gran Reserva 904 SelecciĆ³n Especial, a blend of 90% Tempranillo from their vineyards in Villalba, BriƱas and Rodezno with 10% Graciano from the Montecillo vineyard in Fuenmayor that was picked 23 days later than the Tempranillo. The grapes were sorted optically for the first time, and they fermented in stainless steel where the wine went through malolactic too. The wine was put in barrel in January 2016āused American oak barrels built by their own coopersāwhere it matured for four years, during which time it was racked every six months. 2015 was a healthy vintage with balanced ripeness that delivered wines with good aging potential. They thought the wine needed a little more time in bottle to polish those tannins and have decided to hold it and release the wine around March 2023; it will be marked SelecciĆ³n Especial, the first 904 to do so, as they have very high hopes for this year and believe it's one of the finest vintages. They think it will develop the sophistication in the palate with a little more time and that is should achieve the silkiness that is the signature of 904. This is very 2015; I saw quite strong tannins in all the 2015 wines I tasted from Rioja Alta. There are some 150,000 bottles of this.
The people from La Rioja Alta are looking for older vineyards in the Rioja Alta zone, mostly around Elvillar, in principle for the sister project Torre de OƱa. As they think they have done all the technical improvements possible, they believe the improvement has to come from the vineyards, so they are experimenting in that direction. In those vineyards, there is more white interplanted with the red. And they are also experimenting with white wine... As for what's currently released, I loved the 2010 Gran Reserva 890, a wine that to me epitomizes their style of reds with a long aging in barrel and in bottle. I found the wines from 2015 to be very tannic, a little rough even; they are very confident about the vintage, which they consider one of the best together with 2001, but the wines might need more time.
Published: Jul 14, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
LA RIOJA ALTA RIOJA GRAN RESERVA 904 2015
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
CountrySpain
RegionLa Rioja
Vintage2015
CHECK PRICE
DOWNLOAD SHELFTALKER
Score
98
Very impressive complexity and width on the nose, showing lots of savoriness with mushrooms, sandalwood, cedar, sweet spices, dried oranges and tobacco. Really even and juicy on the palate with fine and very present tannins. Juicy, creamy finish lasting a minute. Really elegant and layered. It goes on and on. A real Rioja Gran Reserva and I recommend buying a case! The first vintage that La Rioja Alta labelled āSeleccion Especialā. So appealing now, but this will evolve well in the next 20 years.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
98
Proensa - 98/100 voor de 2015
Atkins - 96/100 voor de 2015
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
We write the year 1890. Five Basque winegrowers from the Rioja set up the 'Sociedad VinĆcola de la Rioja Alta' in Haro on 10 July, thereby laying the foundation for the production of high-quality wines. From the very beginning, it is done professionally.
The French oenologist Vigier, who at the time was considered the authority in the field of wine knowledge, is recruited as an expert. In the year 1891 the wine gets its final name 'La Rioja Alta'. It is the birth of a legend. It would take until 1941 for the first wine to be registered as a trademark. This was the famous ViƱa Ardanza, still one of the most important wines of the Bodega. In the past, all barrels were made in their own cooperage. After a longer break, that tradition was restored in 2002. The wood imported from America dries for two years before being processed into barrels. 1970 was an important year with a new barrel cellar, the expansion of the vineyards and the purchase of excellent plots. This also meant the birth of ViƱa Arana and ViƱa Alberdi. Today, the winery is one of the classics of the Rioja. Wines such as the 'Gran Reserva 890' and 'Gran Reserva 904' are unforgettable experiences. But the above mentioned reserves are also excellent wines for those who love matured wines and the traditional rioja style. A jewel among the venerable bodegas!