The producer
Created in 1890, La Rioja Alta is unusual for that time as a consortium of several families established as a company. There have been several changes among the shareholders, most notably the merger of one of the founders of the company – Ardanza – with La Rioja Alta. “Ardanza” was the top reserva of the range for decades. The signature of La Rioja Alta is the use of American oak for all the range – a range notable for the high quality at all levels from the crianza Vina Alberdi through to the three Gran Reservas.
The pinnacle wines are named for the year of merger with Ardanza – Gran Reserva 904 (dropping the “1”) and the year of founding – Gran Reserva 890.
The wine
Named after the year of the merger with Ardanza – 1904 – this is one of La Rioja Alta’s two flagship wines. Made from 90% Tempranillo with 10% Graciano, cuvee 904 matures for 4-5 years in American oak cask and a further 4 years in bottle. A medium bodied, immensely elegant, and balanced wine, with lots of freshness and red fruit, with further spice and earthy complexity.
