April 2, 2020 - Maybe 93. Not fading. Purchased 20 yrs ago.
December 8, 2018 - This is a special lot that was kept separately to be released on the 100th birthday of the winery, hence the name "Centenario 1890-1990". A blend of Tempranillo (85%), Mazuelo, Graciano and Viura. First fermented and aged for 24 months in large oak vats. Then aged for 120 months (10 years) in old (18-20 yo) oak barriques. Bottled in 1986 and released in 1990, after a minimum of 42 months of bottle-aging. 12.4% alcohol. Bottle #4826.
Developed pomegranate color that permits some light through. The nose feels big and developed with complex and somewhat sweet-toned aromas of tobacco leaf, wizened red cherries, cedary wood, some mocha pastries, a little bit of sweet raisiny fruit, light plummy tones, a hint of smoke and a touch of meat consommé. No noticeable vanilla character typical of LRA here. The wine is full-bodied, complex and beautifully textural on the palate with wizened yet relatively fresh flavors of wizened dark fruits, some sour cherry bitterness, a little bit of red plummy fruit, light chocolatey mocha tones, a little bit of raisiny character, a hint of prune and a fragrant touch of cinnamon. The wine is wonderfully high in acidity with resolved, gently grippy medium tannins. The finish is complex, gently grippy and very lenghty with dry flavors of raisiny and somewhat pruney fruit tones, some sour cherry bitterness, a little bit of savory earth, light minty green tones, a hint of tobacco and a touch of meat consommé.
A beautiful, harmonious and complex LRA red that is all about developed, layered Rioja fruit flavors with none of that vanilla character LRA is so known for. Although quite developed and pretty tertiary now, at the age of 45 years, this classically built Rioja wine is still surprisingly fresh and enormously enjoyable. An outstanding effort and among the best LRA wines I've tasted. Highly recommended.
December 8, 2018 - Very ripe cherries, Spanish saddle leather, velvety pleasant mouthfeel, good balanced package, not overwhelmed by acidity like some old Rioja are.
October 28, 2017 - Off the bottle list at Pujol in Mexico City. This wine was quite possibly the perfect pairing for mole (which is a classic dish at that restaurant - the one we were served was aged for 4 years). Lots of coffee and chocolate and cedar. Fresh tasting although age apparent in the more brickish coloring in the glass. Very enjoyable.
December 2, 2016 - Cork disintegrating, did not come out in one piece but managed to extract it.
Heavily bricked colour, almost like a whiskey.
The nose is FANTASTIC and jumps out of the glass. Cedar, spice, sweet cherry.
The palette is smooth, rounded and still has a lovely mouthfeel with Asian spice, red cherries and a hint of tobacco. Acidity is in balance with the fruit (those who like fruitbombs would not be so keen). On the verge of being tired but still alive and drinking great.
November 11, 2016 - LRA Ardanza & 904 (The Medlar, London): Some discussion as to whether it was 904 or something else, possibly a blend, or even the Arana. I bought it described as 904, and indeed John Gilman suggests it is 904 and possibly a better selection of barrels that would normally have gone in to 890; note 890 was also produced in 73. Anyway, a similar mid garnet colour. Brighter acidity here initially. Relatively light through the mid palate. Finishes well and fills out in the glass considerably over approx. 30 minutes. Showing far more like the 904 now. Lovely. Richness with freshness. ****
April 26, 2016 - A bottle given to a friend was vinegar. This bottle was brown but clean, light, still showing regional style, oak noticeable. Touch of toffee on the finish. Soft, frail, glugable.
Expect huge bottle variation.
12.5% ABV, sealed with cork.
March 12, 2016 - DOA.
June 19, 2015 - Super fine, intense and present wine of sophistication, complexity and freshness. Still young!
November 17, 2014 - Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 vertical 1964-2001 and a bonus from 50s: Nose of barnyard and leather, there's also some jam and orange rind in the background, old wood. Very integrated on the palate - old wood, leather, red berry jam. Rich, silky, but with lively accidity, quite round comparing to '64 or the one from 50s. There grows a note of sauna on the nose with air.