2016 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904: 'Spectacular'

La Rioja Alta is one of the most admired wineries in the world. 135 years after it was founded in the Rioja wine town of Haro, it remains a family concern, still making wines in the grand traditional style of Rioja. The bodega takes its name from the Rioja Alta sub-region where it's based, and where it owns some exceptional vineyards at varying altitutes, on diverse soils. They make all their own barrels in house, from oak imported from the United States. 

Their Gran Reserva 904 is only made in the best vintages. 2016 was excellent, very hot at times, but with cooler nights and rain at the right moments. That has led to a beautiful 904 that is ripe, balanced and very aromatically expressive; after the cherry and raspberry fruit there are layers of walnut, vanilla, caramel and clove. The tannins are very refined. It's 90% Tempranillo, with 10% Graciano bringing more structure and spice. 

A few times a decade, La Rioja Alta release another Gran Reserva, the 890. It sees even longer cellar aging than the 904. Today sees the release of the 2011 Gran Reserva 890. It's largely made from old vine Tempranillo, with a seasoning of Graciano and Mazuelo. 2011 was one of the driest vintages of the last two decades, leading to grapes with well-ripened tannins and a darker fruit character. The extra years this 890 has enjoyed in the cellar mean the spice, truffle and tobacco is more in the foreground.  /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold. Wines due to arrive Summer 2025.