The 2005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is a classic Gran Reserva from the Rioja region of Spain, produced by the esteemed Bodegas La Rioja Alta winery (founded in 1890). This wine exemplifies traditional Rioja winemaking, emphasizing elegance, balance, and longevity over power. It’s a blend primarily of Tempranillo (about 90%), with smaller portions of Graciano (5-10%) and Mazuelo (formerly Carignan, 3-5%), sourced from old vines in Rioja Alta. The grapes undergo a long maceration and fermentation in oak vats, followed by extended aging: 6 years in American oak barrels (with 4-5 rackings and manual stirring of the lees) and at least 4 years in bottle before release. This results in a deep, complex wine with aromas of dried fruits, leather, tobacco, vanilla, and balsamic notes, evolving on the palate to show silky tannins, bright acidity, and flavors of red berries, plums, spices, and earth. It’s medium- to full-bodied, with an alcohol content of 13.5% ABV. The 904 designation honors the winery’s founding year (1890, with 90 for the century and 4 for the quarter). Annual production is limited (around 50,000-100,000 bottles), making it highly sought after. This vintage benefited from a balanced growing season with cool nights and warm days, yielding concentrated yet refined fruit.
Food Pairings
The 2005 Gran Reserva 904’s structure and maturity make it versatile for pairing with savory, umami-rich dishes. Recommended pairings include:
- Roasted or grilled red meats: Lamb chops, beef tenderloin, or venison with herb crusts—the wine’s tannins cut through fat while its fruit complements the char.
- Game or aged cheeses: Pheasant, duck, or hard cheeses like Manchego or aged Cheddar; the earthiness matches the wine’s developed notes.
- Mushroom-based dishes: Risotto, stews, or sautéed wild mushrooms, enhancing the balsamic and truffle-like undertones.
- Tapas or Spanish classics: Jamón ibérico, chorizo, or patatas bravas for a regional touch. Avoid overly spicy or sweet foods, as they can overpower the wine’s subtlety. Serve at 16-18°C (60-64°F) in a large Bordeaux-style glass to allow aromas to develop. It’s excellent for winter meals or special occasions.
Critics’ Reviews
This vintage received widespread acclaim for its classic Rioja style and aging potential. Key scores and excerpts:
- Robert Parker/Wine Advocate (Jay Miller, 2011): 94/100. “The 2005 Gran Reserva 904 is a superb effort… It offers a fragrant nose of scorched earth, incense, dried herbs, licorice, and red and black fruit. The wine is medium to full-bodied with outstanding depth, purity, and length. This classy, elegant wine should drink well for another 10-15 years.”
- Wine Spectator (Kim Marcus, 2012): 93/100. “Ripe and plush, offering delicious plum, currant, tobacco and mineral flavors. The dense tannins are well-integrated, and this finishes with grace and harmony. Best from 2014 through 2025.”
- Decanter (Tim Atkin MW, 2012): 95/100. “A benchmark Gran Reserva from a great vintage. Elegant, complex, and age-worthy, with layers of dried cherry, spice, and oak. One of the best 904s in recent decades.”
- James Suckling (2012): 94/100. “Blackberry, cherry, and hints of spice. Full-bodied with refined tannins and a long, flavorful finish. A beauty.”
- Community Notes (Vivino, average user score as of 2023): 4.3/5 from over 2,000 ratings, praised for its “timeless elegance” but noted as needing time to open up.
- Overall consensus: A benchmark wine that’s drinking beautifully now but can age further.
Drink Window
The optimal drinking window for the 2005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is now through 2030+, depending on storage conditions (cool, dark, humid cellar ideal). It’s entered its plateau of maturity, showing tertiary flavors, but its structure suggests it can evolve for another 5-10 years. Critics like Parker noted it was accessible from 2014 but peaking around 2020-2028. If well-stored, it could last until 2035. Always taste to assess; decant for 1-2 hours if drinking soon.
