June 16, 2018 - Blind. Garnet to mahogany. Classic old Rioja nose. Looks like 1970, but no, so 73. Must be LRA 904 — so fresh and vital despite the maturity and nuanced complexity of age. A touch of orange peel, worn leather, furniture polish, and a little spice with the mellow strawberry fruit. Holds very well in the glass and puts on a little padding too. Gorgeous. ****1/2
March 2, 2018 - Lighter color, with orange tint on the edges. Pretty water consistency. Does taste and smell like an old Rioja (wax, church incense), but has some good acidity. Has some bright berry/fruit notes after opening up.
January 18, 2018 - Funky, rank nose that blows off with air to reveal sweet prune, truffle and lingering barnyard notes. Smooth and silky pallet with a medium finish. Fruit long gone for the most part but its so balanced. Seamless and elegant old Rioja. Drink now.
April 26, 2017 - Tasted blind. Clearly an old Rioja, high acidity, red fruit and earth notes. With just a bit of air it fleshed out nicely, very pleasant to drink, elegant but not big. Probably on its downward slope. Drink up.
November 11, 2016 - LRA Ardanza & 904 (The Medlar, London): A denser mid garnet here. Denser on the nose too. Very coffee mocha. Smooth and mellow with a lovely mid-palate weight. Rounded. More weight than the Ardanza. Gorgeous. Grows in the glass. *****
September 24, 2016 - Opened up but lost most of the fruit.
September 10, 2016 - Fully autumnal, albeit a classic, herbal and dried sour cherry fruit profile. Medium bodied. Some oxidative elements, though not oxidized.
April 18, 2016 - Beautiful clear ruby in the bottle, but it didn't survive the journey and subsequent decant — very finely muddy and almost completely opaque. Nose is a bit muddy and diffuse but still gives a good account of what it should have been. The palate however, is a muddy mess. Such a shame as there's clearly a lovely wine underneath the sludge.
January 7, 2016 - showing really well.
November 17, 2014 - Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 vertical 1964-2001 and a bonus from 50s: Colour almost the same as for '73 CC, a bit lighter. Nose is totally different - fresher, more intense, less oak and barnyard. On the palate it had more acidity and freshness. Both had this typical pickle notes on the nose. Concentrated mouthfeel, with time it develops some coffee notes as well as spices and rosemary.