La Rioja Alta

Wonderful wines across the range. Traditional, but with a richness. The 904 could be considerably still with some more bottle age.

• 2011 Lagar de Cervera Albariño Rías Baixas 89 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas

  Palest straw. Floral, very fragrant nose with a rounded fruit core. Slightly smoky floral quality. Quite mineral. Reminds me a bit of a dry alsacien pinot gris. Top ***

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• 2006 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Alberdi Reserva 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Historical vintages are labelled as 3 Ano. Mellow, rounded nose. Gently spicy nose. 100% Tempranillo, 1 year new oak, 1 year old oak. Mellow, rounded quite expansive but lacks some zip of the long haul. Easy to drink and would be a real crowd-pleasing party/bbq wine. Lots of declassified 904 juice. ***1/2

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• 2005 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Arana Reserva 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Historical vintages labelled as 6 ano. Brighter, more focus on the nose, fruiter spice, less obvious oak. Bright red fruit. Reasonably plush structure. Good acidity and some structure on the finish. One for mid-term cellaring. Long and tangy. ***(*)

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• 2004 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Up to 25% Garnacha this year (it’s not always good enough quality to make the grade for Ardanza). Quite tight, focused, raspberry spice nose. Change of style with the 2001 – fresher, less oak for the garnacha. Similar on palate, great red fruit and acidity. Again, a vibrancy. Long and persistent. **(**)

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• 2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Spicy red fruit, some soft oak influence. A roundness here without tending to flab. A density to the fruit too. Lots upfront. Currently a slight hole in the late mid-palate though this fills with air. Long. Spicy acidity. Vibrant. **(**) possibly **(**1/2)

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• 1998 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  A selection of the best plots, the best barrels etc – the crème de la crème at every stage of the process. Fuller, deeper, more savoury. Sweet fruit at the edges. Deep and plush. Mouth filling. Velvet to the 904’s silk. Long. Complex. Red fruit. Spice. Harmonious. ****(1/2)

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