La Rioja Alta, 904 Gran Reserva, 2015

One of the iconic wines of the region, this is available in very limited quantities.

We are very glad to be able to offer this stunning, imposing and delicious wine, which is made in small volumes in only the best vintages and is highly desired across the globe.

It is full of concentrated flavours of cherry, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry jam, with notes of cigar box, balsamic, cloves and chocolate, with a ripe, orange zest top note to polish it off. The oak is immaculately poised, and appears as refinement and restraint, acting more as a hidden support rather than a star player - this is all about the quality and elegance of the fruit, which is utterly superb. The palate is incredibly elegant and soft, with smooth and supple tannins that lead to a long, mouth-coating finish. 

Made from a blend of 89% Tempranillo and 11% Graciano, the grapes are grown on vines with an average age of 60 years, that come from some of the most sought-after vineyard areas in the whole of Rioja, let alone the Rioja Alta subzone. They really do get the pick of the best sites: they demand it because they are so important: they are so important because they are just so good.

Established in 1890 the winery of La Rioja Alta began as a co-operative of five Rioja and Basque families as a vehicle for making wine from the grapes they grew. The building was strategically placed in the 'station district' of the town of Haro, where it still is today, so as to be able to transport wine to export markets with relative ease. Their first president was Doña Saturnina García Cid y Gárate and the first winemaker was a chap called Monsieur Vigier, who, like so many French winemakers, left the phylloxera-ravaged vineyards of his own land to look for winemaking opportunities in other European countries. The first Reserva made in 1890 was the predecessor of today's Gran Reserva 890. And in 1904 one of the founding members, Don Alfredo Ardanza, suggested a merger between the new La Rioja Alta winery and the other winery that he owned, Bodega Ardanza, and the structure was set for the subsequent 120 years. They celebrated that merger with a Reserva that they called 1904, which was the predecessor of today's 904 Gran Reserva, which is, of course, this very wine.

It is about as special a bottle as you'll find. The winery themselves describe it as an ideal wine for the most special occasions and celebrations. They recommend it with meat, seafood and chocolate desserts and mention that it's best without spicy food, finishing up by saying that it is ideal as an after-dinner drink. They're our kind of winery...

904 Gran Reserva 2015 scores

98 Points James Suckling

97 Points Guia Peñin

96 Points Tim Atkin MW