La Rioja Alta S.A. - Rioja Gran Reserva '904' 2016

Gran Reserva 904 2016 is the sum of it all: the time that has shaped it, the wisdom of the land, and the commitment of a winery that has turned Rioja classicism into a contemporary art. The 2016 vintage was magnificent. Moderate, well-distributed rainfall mitigated the effects of summer drought and heat, fostering optimal ripening. The result: grapes of unusual vibrancy and freshness, blended with the precision that only experience brings.

Crafted from Tempranillo (90%) sourced from our vineyards in Villalba, Briñas, and Rodezno, and Graciano (10%) from the historic Montecillo estate in Fuenmayor, the wine was aged for four years in American oak barrels with an average age of four years, undergoing eight traditional rackings before its final refinement in bottle.

Color is deep cherry-red with a garnet-red rim. Intense and complex aromas, dominated by fruit (blackberry jam, raspberries and orange zest) that reveals underlying spicy and balsamic notes of cigar box, cedar licorice, cloves, chocolate mints and toasted wood. Elegantly refined entry. Fresh and lively in the mouth, nicely balanced with polished, silky tannins and a gentle, delicate finish. Very long aftertaste, with citrus and balsamic notes that provide long, complex final sensations.

Pair this red wine with all kinds of meats, stews, main courses, and desserts with couverture chocolate. Ideal as an after-dinner drink as well.

"Such a deep and complex gran reserva with richness and depth. Genuinely intense and harmonious, with cigar box, pine cones, black mushrooms and high-grade wood and vanilla. Juicy, flavorful and really long. Goes on for a minute, if not more. Such a hedonistic Rioja that delivers sheer pleasure. 90% tempranillo and 10% graciano. Drink or hold." - 97 Points, James Suckling

"I tased again the stellar 2016 Gran Reserva 904, which is nothing short of being spectacular and a textbook example of the grand traditional style. It was produced with 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from a selection of vineyards in search of balanced wines with silky tannins, good acidity, character, length and aging potential. The élevage is long, four years in used barrels that average 4.5 years of age, during which time the wine is manually racked every six months. It's ripe with 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.61 and 5.4 grams of acidity, but the wine is super fresh and complex, with aromas of cigar box, dry tea leaves, balsam, aromatic herbs, camphor, antique furniture and tobacco. It's elegant and intense, with pungent flavors and very good freshness, and it's silky-textured and nicely structured, with volume, clean, intense and long. This is a very complete year for this wine. It's ready, but it should last; it hasn't really moved an inch from last year. 120,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2021." - 96 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2016 Gran Reserva 904 (90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano; Rioja Alta) was aged in American oak barrels (average barrel age 4.5 years) and racked every six months. On the nose, vanilla, tar and mushroom lead, followed by leather, tobacco leaf, dried dates and a subtle iodine note. The palate is supple and finely structured, with polished yet firm tannins. Tertiary nuances linger on the finish, where the oak lends classical Rioja elegance." - 96 Points, Vinous

Producer: La Rioja Alta S.A.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Varietal: Tempranillo, Graciano

Appellation: Rioja

Vintage: 2016

Size: 750ml