Rioja Gran Reserva 904, La Rioja Alta 2007

Wonderful purity of fruit with a strawberry, currant and plum character. Full and velvety body with ultra-fine tannins and a delicious fresh and fruity finish. Classic Rioja style. Que lindo! Drink now.

If Viña Ardanza seems to be going fast, the Gran Reserva 904 is even faster and we're now on the 2007 Gran Reserva 904. This wants to be the classic Gran Reserva--polished, silky and elegant, with aging potential. It is a blend of Tempranillo with 10% Mazuelo aged for four years in well-seasoned American oak barrels, with eight manual rackings. I found that the freshness of the vintage and its relatively young age gave the wine a youngish character that I loved, combining developed notes of meat, spices, leather and balsam with almost cherry-like aromas. The palate feels balanced and elegant, with fine-grained and fully resolved tannins and great acidity. This vintage of 904 surprised me! 150,000 bottles produced.La Rioja Alta is not resting on their laurels, as they are investing nine million Euros in improving their vineyards and winery, including an optical sorting table.

There was no 904 in 2006, but this blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano from 20 parcelsin the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa is back with a vengeance. Polished, traditional, Americanoak-aged Rioja with gamey sweetness, tangy acidity, filigree tannins and impressive palatelength. 2017-28.