La Rioja Alta - Gran Reserva 904 2009

JAMES SUCKLING: "97/100 Punkte James Suckling: This is a driven and super tight Gran Reserva with dark berries and hints of spice and cedar. A spicy red-pepper undertone and some dried flowers. Full to medium body, integrated tannins and a superb finish. A great wine. Available in September 2018. A wine for the cellar, but why wait?"

DECANTER: "One of the Rioja classics, a unique compromise between graceful, long ageing and lively fruit expression. Silky and gentle, a feast for the senses. Drinking Window 2019 - 2049"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Time flies, and the 904 for sale is already the 2009 Gran Reserva 904, as they didn't bottle it in 2008. They are only going to bottle their top wines in very good and excellent vintages, so there will be a 2010 and 2011 but no 2012, 2013 or 2014. This super classical cuvée showcases the wines from Haro, silky and elegant after long aging in oak and a good future in bottle. 2009 was a powerful vintage, ripe but with good balance. The blend is approximately 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, fermented in stainless steel with a 78-day natural malolactic. The aging was in four-year-old American oak barrels crafted by their own coopers; the wines aged from April 2010 until April 2014. During that time, the wine was racked every six months, to be finally bottled in November 2014. This is usually my favorite wine from the portfolio, where the balance between aging and youth reaches its highest point. It's developed but it keeps some fruit character, plenty of spices and balsamic aromas. The palate is polished but has some clout, with clean, focused flavors and a long, spicy and tasty finish. This represents good value for the quality it delivers. 150,000 bottles produced. Because they didn't produce 890 in 2009, the grapes for the 890 were in this 904. As a curiosity, they uncorked a 1982, which was superb."

WEINWISSER: "Reben über 60 Jahre alt, sehr heisser und trockener Sommer, Regen im September, vier Jahre in gebrauchten amerikanischen Eichenbarriques. Erinnert zu Beginn im Aroma ein wenig an Rhabarberkuchen, feinsäuerlich, helle Kirschnote dazwischen, wirkt undekantiert ein wenig verwischt, klärt sich aber mit nur etwas Luft erheblich und ergibt nach wenigen Minuten einen feinen klassischen Rioja mit Würznoten und Frische, und viel amerikanischer Eichenvanille. Hat noch viel Zeit, Entwicklung im Glas sensationell."

FALSTAFF: "Klassisch daherkommendes Bukett mit Noten von Möbelpolitur und Teer. Dahinter dunkle, frische Beerenfrucht und feine Röstaromatik. Am Gaumen elegante Struktur, wirkt recht schlank, schöne Frucht und würzige Anklänge. Bleibt lange im Abgang."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This red shows a vibrant maturity, with tea and leather notes accenting red plum, orange peel and spice flavors in a round, polished texture. Bright acidity and well-integrated tannins give this structure. Graceful and expressive. Drink now through 2024. 12,500 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Luminous ruby. Intense nose that recalls molten butter as well as rich, ripe, delectable animal aromas. Great sweetness but no obvious oakiness. Clearly some bottle age here and some delightful freshness. Savoury note on the finish."