Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2016

Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva is made by Bodega La Rioja Alta in Haro, one of the world's most concentrated towns for wineries. It blends Tempranillo from vines over 40 years old in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba with Graciano from the bodega's own estates in Briones and Rodezno. The fruit is hand harvested and meticulously sorted, then undergoes alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the latter softening the wine's acidity before its long ageing. This Gran Reserva spends 48 months in American oak followed by a further 48 months in bottle, a slow, extended maturation that profoundly transforms the wine. The years in barrel allow gradual oxygen exchange that polishes the tannins and develops tertiary aromas, while American oak lends vanilla and clove, and the long bottle rest builds the leather, tobacco and dried fruit complexity of a mature Rioja. The colour is a deep cherry shading to garnet. The nose is enveloping, with ripe and dried red fruit, leather, tobacco and sweet spice. The palate is elegant and complex, with fine, fully resolved tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 degrees in a large glass, ideally decanted.