We are proud to present the 2009 vintage of La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904.
The wine, a blend of 90% Tempranillo (from over 60 year old vines planted in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba) and 10% Graciano, is best described as having great aromatic complexity, with balsamic notes of vanilla, toasted caramel, mint chocolate, tea leaves and cinnamon.
Only produced in exceptional vintages, and usually only four times in every decade, the 2009 is a terrific effort, ready to drink now, but it will also age comfortably for another 20 years.
During a tasting via video-link with winemaker Julio Sáenz a couple of days before the launch in early December, he said that the wines from 2009 stood out for combining “subtlety, elegance and finesse”, during our comparative tasting with the 2007, it was “even more intense and aromatic and had greater ageing potential” he went on.
The outstanding quality of the wine was the result of a truly fantastic year at the estate. After a long and dry summer, perfect weather with cool nights from mid-September slowed the ripening down which allowed the grapes to develop intense flavours whilst maintaining lovely freshness. 2009 was officially rated “very good” in Rioja and is a superlative year for La Rioja Alta according to Luis Gutierrez of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. He described the wines as “powerful, built to last”.
Tasting Notes
2009 has yet to be scored by the majority of the most read critics. However, the wine is certainly amongst the best of recent years, which have all received scores of 95 or 96 from the Wine Advocate.
“Reflecting the excellence of the vintage, as well as its power, this is the latest in a superb run of 904 Gran Reservas.”
96 Points, Tim Atkin MW
“Outstandingly intense cherry-red; clean and bright. The nose reveals a bouquet of great aromatic complexity, with balsamic notes of vanilla, toasted caramel, mint chocolate, tea leaves and cinnamon that gives way to elegant notes of stewed fruits and prunes. Creamy well-balanced mouthfeel, with a harmonious freshness and smooth, well-tamed tannins that leave an elegant complex finish.”
Julio Sáenz
La Rioja Alta 2009 Gran Reserva 904 is available to purchase from today, 4th December 2018, at a special price until the end of the month.
By Megan Parkinson
Marketing Executive