Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2011: best 2019 to 2041.
vintage8 yrs30 yrs32 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2021 | 2011 | 96/100 |
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2019 | 2010 | 95/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, sweet tobacco, coconut, dill, leather
Palate: red fruit, savoury spice, silky tannin, balsamic
A modern classic Gran Reserva: four years in American oak give the house's signature sweet-spice and dill lift over a silky, savoury, ageworthy Tempranillo frame.
What it pairs with
-
Cordero asado
Roast lamb's sweet fat is the textbook match for 904's silky savour. -
Roast partridge
Game meets the wine's leather and dried-cherry depth. -
Chuleton de buey
Find chuleton de buey on TableJourney →
Aged-beef chop frames the fine tannin. -
Aged Idiazabal
Smoked sheep cheese mirrors the American-oak sweet spice.
How to serve Gran Reserva 904
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cordero asado, Roast partridge, Chuleton de buey. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The 904 name dates to the house's 1904 anniversary blend. The modern Gran Reserva 904 is aged about four years in American oak and is one of the most consistent classic Gran Reservas in Rioja.
- 1904: Anniversary blend that gives the 904 its name
- 1976: Modern 904 Gran Reserva style established
- 2021: 2011 vintage widely rated among the top Gran Reservas of its year
Facts
- Producer
- La Rioja Alta S.A. · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 4 years in American oak with manual racking, then long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 45 to 75 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1976
Frequently asked about Gran Reserva 904
What does Gran Reserva 904 taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, sweet tobacco, coconut, dill, leather. On the palate, red fruit, savoury spice, silky tannin, balsamic. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a very long finish. A modern classic Gran Reserva: four years in American oak give the house's signature sweet-spice and dill lift over a silky, savoury, ageworthy Tempranillo frame.
When should I drink Gran Reserva 904?
Drink 8 to 30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Gran Reserva 904?
Cordero asado is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roast partridge and Chuleton de buey. Roast lamb's sweet fat is the textbook match for 904's silky savour.
Is Gran Reserva 904 vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Gran Reserva 904?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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