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Gran Reserva 904 2005 75cl

DOCa | Rioja | Spain
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Critics scores
96 Robert Parker
The 2005 Gran Reserva 904 is a superb blend of Tempranillo from the villages of Briñas, Labastida and Villalba with 10% Graciano from Briones and Rodezno. The grapes were destemmed and crushed and fermented in stainless steel for 18 days at 25 C. Malolactic fermentation was spontaneous and lasted 38 days. These wines are marked by a long aging in used American oak barrels following the most strict Riojan tradition; four years during which time the wine was manually racked eight times. This is usually my favorite wine from La Rioja Alta and 2005 is one of its best showings, going back to the quality of the vintages of the 1950s and 60s. The nose is very balsamic with notes of camphor, hints of mint, leather and hung game wrapped around a core of cherries in liqueur. Together it is balanced, subtle, truly elegant and classical. The palate is only medium-bodied but with great concentration of flavors that are very tasty, mineral, almost salty and framed by ultra-fine tannins and smashing balance. A great classic. This wine will be released in October 2015, a full ten years after the vintage. At this quality level this is a bargain. 150,000 bottles produced. La Rioja Alta celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2015. Last year, I only tasted three wines from La Rioja Alta and I tasted six this time. The quality is as good as ever, with superb wines from the almost-perfect 2005 vintage coming into the market. Great Rioja, as traditional as it gets, in good quantity and moderate (and often plain great) prices.
Producer
La Rioja Alta
The most classically styled Rioja can be found in Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta, faithfully produced by one of the most popular bodegas in Spain, La Rioja Alta. It was originally founded in 1890 by five Riojan and Basque families, some of which still have a share in the company. In 1996, they invested in a state-of-the-art winemaking facility to further embody their founding pillars of quality, elegance, innovation, and evolution. Renowned for some of the finest traditional Reservas and Gran Reservas in Spain, the bodega produces five estate-grown wines on their 450-hectare property. Planted principally with Tempranillo, they also grow local varieties like Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo, that are essential parts to their vinous identity. Gran Reservas 904 and 890, see five to eight years of cask-aging in American oak, ensuing the strictest Riojan traditions. The end results are balanced, intense Tempranillo blends.