La Rioja Alta is one of the oldest wineries in Spain, founded in 1890 as Sociedad Vinícola de la Rioja Alta by five families in Rioja. The Gran Reserva 904 commemorates the year 1904 when Daniel Alfredo Ardanza y Sánchez merged his Ardanza winery with Sociedad Vinícola de la Rioja Alta. The 2011 Gran Reserva 904 is 89 percent Tempranillo sourced from 60+-year-old vines and 11 percent Graciano. It was aged for 54 months in American oak and was bottled in November 2016. The wine is classic Rioja, very recognizable, with aromas and flavors of plum, black cherry, blackberry liqueur, tobacco leaves, cedar, sage, forest floor, and sweet spices. Fresh and balanced, with polished, silky tannins that seem to dance across the palate. At this quality level, this is a bargain.
La Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC (Spain) 2011
By Miranda Franco