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La Rioja Alta : Gran Reserva 904 2016

La Rioja Alta : Gran Reserva 904 2016

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4.107,00 kr. Incl. VAT
684,50 kr. / Unit
Packaging : a box of 6 Bottles (75cl)
6 x 75CL
4.107,00 kr.

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Rating
Review by Robert Parker
ParkerParker96/100
J. SucklingJ. Suckling97/100

Description

Characteristics and tasting advice for La Rioja Alta’s Gran Reserva 904 2016

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep garnet-red color with a bright, vivid ruby rim.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic intensity, opening on notes of wild red berries, black cherry and blueberry. The bouquet then evolves toward a complex range of tertiary aromas: tobacco leaf, black pepper, tea leaves, coffee, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon and balsamic touches.

Palate

On the palate, the wine offers a refined balance between freshness and ripeness. The tannins are gentle, polished and silky, creating an elegant, sophisticated texture. The entry shows lovely volume and a creamy texture, gliding harmoniously across the palate. The mid-palate develops layers of complexity that reflect the expression of the terroir and the character of barrel aging. A touch of camphor emerges on the finish, bringing an energetic nuance to an approachable profile despite the wine’s considerable depth and structure. The finish lingers beautifully with refined complexity.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with quality meats, especially grilled lamb. It also complements red meats, game and hearty stews. Fish in sauce can be an interesting match, with the wine’s acidity balancing the richness of the preparations. Aged and smoked cheeses make excellent partners. Dark-chocolate desserts create a harmonious pairing with the wine’s balsamic, coffee and mocha notes.

Serving and cellaring

Gran Reserva 904 2016 can be enjoyed now while also offering exceptional aging potential through around 2050.

A traditional Gran Reserva from Rioja with exceptional aging potential

The estate

Founded in 1890 in Haro, La Rioja Alta has remained a family-owned estate for six generations. Recognized as the third most admired winery in the world in 2025, it now oversees 900 hectares of vineyards across Spain, including 587 hectares in Rioja. Guillermo de Aranzabal Bittner, representing the sixth generation, currently leads the estate as Chief Executive Officer. Under the technical direction of Julio Sáenz since 1996, the winery continues a philosophy that combines traditional methods with technological innovation, prioritizing quality over volume.

The vineyard

Gran Reserva 904 2016 comes from carefully selected plots in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. The Tempranillo comes from vineyards in Villalba, Briñas and Rodezno, renowned for producing grapes with optimal acidity and aromatic finesse. The Graciano comes from the historic Montecillo estate in Fuenmayor. These terroirs benefit from moderate Atlantic climatic influences, fostering ideal ripening conditions for wines with the freshness, acidity and structure needed for long aging.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage was rated as magnificent in Rioja. The growing cycle benefited from moderate, well-distributed rainfall throughout the year, effectively mitigating the effects of summer drought and heat. These conditions yielded grapes with unusual vibrancy, freshness and aromatic intensity, combined with excellent tannin ripeness.

Vinification and aging

The grapes were hand-harvested into small refrigerated crates to preserve fruit integrity. Gran Reserva 904 2016 is the first vintage to benefit from full optical sorting berry by berry, eliminating around 10% of the grapes. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations occurred naturally after destemming, with the alcoholic fermentation lasting 21 days in tank. The wine was then aged for four years in American oak barrels made by the estate’s cooperage, with an average age of 4.5 years, including 20% new barrels. Eight traditional manual rackings were carried out every six months before bottling in May 2021.

Grape varieties

Tempranillo (90%)
Graciano (10%)

La Rioja Alta : Gran Reserva 904 2016
2.0.0