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La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 1995

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1995 Vintage

51.99 USD

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United States

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1995 Vintage

35.97 USD

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La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 (1995)

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4 Star Rating

Starting at: $35.97
8 Reviews
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Winery:
La Rioja Alta
Varietal:
Tempranillo
Region:
Spain > Rioja > Rioja Alta
Type:
Red Wine
Drink Dates:
Drink Now
UPC:
8413529761093

User Tags:  acidic, chemical, fruit, stone fruits, earthy, resinous, cherry, (tree) fruit, oak, balance 


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What to Expect

The Rioja region of Spain produces one of the world's finest, and most long lived wines: Rioja. Rioja's renaissance, in the latter half of the 19th century, was a direct result of the phyloxera bug that decimated vineyards around the globe. While English merchants came to Rioja to replace their French imports, the wines here actually have much more in common with Chianti. Both wines are blend relying heavily on one grape, in this case Tempranillo. Like Chianti's Sangiovese, Tempranillo usually produces a relatively high acid wine of medium to medium-full body. Tempranillo tends to produce wines with a dusty, leathery edge to its raspberry and blackberry fruit tones. With additions of Graciano, Mazuela and Grancha, the wines of Rioja can take on additional layers of flavor and aroma, but the tradition of extended oak aging for Rioja's great wines contributes to an even more obvious imprint. While the Spaniards have traditionally been fans of the strong vanilla and coconut components that American oak barrels have contributed to Rioja, more and more producers have turned to French oak favoring its more subtle spice tones. Rioja continues to undergo extended aging in barrel with Reserva and Gran Reserva bottlings, representing a producer's highest achievement, spending a minimum of 3 of 5 years respectively in the producer's cellar.

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Reviews

Wine Advocate

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed by Wine Advocate


 

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Snooth User: Magnum49
Magnum49
0

Undoubtedly over-oaked, but makes sense with a serious roast or suchlike. Great example of old-school rioja, and almost limitless aging potential..


November 2007

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Astor Wines &
Spirits

Made from mostly Tempranillo, with a touch of Graciano and Mazuelo, this wine is aged in barrel for four years and in bottle for another four. A silky mouth feel, this wine is very delicate with a long finish. Black cherries, baking spices, and mocha notes pop from the glass.


 

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Morrell &
Company

La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva Rioja


 

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Steven Tanzer

Rating: 93/100 - As reviewed by Steven Tanzer ST: Ruby-red. Potent bouquet of almost exotic floral and dark fruit aromas, accented by sweet underbrush and sexy oak spices. Densely packed and concentrated, boasting an abundance of cherry and dark berry flavors joined by rose and violet pastille, vanilla, mocha and red licorice. Wonderfully silky tannins give a structural underpinning to the finish of this rich, densely packed beauty. This could be enjoyed now or stashed away for another decade.


 

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Source: Sam's


The current release of the estate?s Rioja Gran Reserve 904, the 1995, is reminiscent of a Spanish version of a top-notch Graves from Bordeaux. Earthy mineral aromas intermixed with smoky tobacco, scorched earth, red currants, sweet cherries, and spice box jump from the glass of this complex, nuanced red. The light to medium ruby/garnet color is followed by notes of old wood, sweet, fresh mushrooms, roses, currants, and cherry fruit. With good structure and tannin, this is a classic example of an old style Rioja. Drink it over the next decade.


September 2009

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