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Red dry
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Rioja DOCa 2016 is a classic Spanish Rioja Gran Reserva, combining rich berry fruitiness, subtle oak effects, tertiary ripe aromas and a solid structural framework.
Tempranillo grapes, at least 60 years old, making up 90% of this wine, are harvested from the Brinas, Rodenzo and Villalba vineyards. Graciano grapes, which make up the rest, are harvested exclusively from the Montecillo vineyard in the Fuenmayor area.
During winemaking, alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel barrels, maceration lasted 78 days. The fermented grape juice was aged for 4 years in used (4-year-old) American oak barrels.
The wine has a very complex aroma. The intense bouquet is saturated with aromas of balsamic vinegar, vanilla, dark chocolate, dried fruit and liqueur cherries. On the palate, a well-structured, soft wine with soft, smooth tannins that are perfectly integrated into the flavor profile; the acidity provides freshness and balance. The aftertaste is long, delicate, complex - with hints of wood, berries and spices.
Serve at 16-18 °C with grilled meat, game stew, Spanish ham or sausages, semi-hard cheeses.
Such a deep and complex gran reserva with richness and depth. Genuinely intense and harmonious, with cigar box Monday, Aug 05, 2024, 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.
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. Mar 12, 2026
Bodegas La Rioja Alta is undoubtedly a representative of old Rioja, exceptionally valuing and cultivating the region's traditional winemaking methods. Their “Gran Reserva” wine is aged for no less than six years in barrel and a further two years in bottle before reaching the consumer, embodying patience and mastery. The high-altitude vineyards of La Rioja Alta, with their unique conditions, lend a subtlety to the wines, sometimes even reminiscent of Burgundy’s ‘Pinot Noir’. While the La Rioja Alta group also includes wineries in Galicia (Rias Baixas) and Ribera del Duero (Burgos), it is their traditional Rioja style that remains their hallmark.
Wine Style
La Rioja Alta wines are characterized by elegance, complexity, and longevity. They reflect the harmony between Rioja terroir and traditional winemaking.
Prestigious Vineyards
La Rioja Alta manages high-altitude vineyards in the Rioja Alta region:
These unique vineyard characteristics and meticulous work in the vineyard are the foundation for the distinctive character of La Rioja Alta wines.
Aging and Drinking Window
La Rioja Alta wines are crafted for slow enjoyment. The long aging process in oak barrels and bottles imparts exceptional complexity and harmony. While these wines can be enjoyed in their youth, their true potential unfolds after many years of bottle aging. They are wines valued for their longevity and ability to improve over time.
