2010 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (7/7/2024)
Decanted 3 hrs. Starts off a bit like the Ardanza Reserva like, that is full of deep black cherry, coconut, some tobacco shavings, good stuff. But by the 2nd glass you could easily discern the GR pedigree and class as an attractive peat quality emerged, along with some citrus skins - orange mainly but I also detected some lime too. One gets a sense that there are layers that are just starting to unfold, not quite there yet, but its only a matter of time. Really fresh finish with good staying power. A classic and no doubt that the 2010 vintage was superb for the ol' 904. (94 points)
Cool, thanks for the checkin. Sounds like the oak wasn’t too obtrusive? I found the 2010 Ardanza to be way too oaky for now (although it’s been a few years since I’ve had one), and usually 904 needs 20+ years for the oak to integrate enough for my taste.
Vince, thanks for the reply and always a key point when discussing the traditional Rioja and use of American oak. For my taste, I rarely find the use of American oak obtrusive in the big 3 that I own and cellar - the 904, the Muga Prada Enea (though that is French oak) and of coarse the Ygay Gran Reserva so take this with a grain of salt. I do think the structure and power of the 2010 vintage will help mitigate the perceived oakiness for those who prefer the 20 year wait as you mentioned but then again, this baby should be absolutely top shelf when it fully matures.
Vince, my wife and I have powered through 50 of these so far since release. We’ve experienced bottle variation when it comes to the oak. In fact the first bottle I bought had overwhelming vanilla notes, so much so, I didn’t want to try the wine again. I’d say we’ve had 2-3 bottles out of 50 that have tasted more oaky than the others.
I drank a case of the 2001s way too young, and I imagine they’re hitting their prime now. But given that the 1970 Ardanzas especials are still drinking well, I don’t think you have to worry about them ever getting over the hill for you!
Great to know. After trying my first bottle, I put the rest of my case in storage … and then eventually sold half of them because I didn’t know if it was ever going to come around to my taste.
Thanks for the note. Given how dense and narrow my little '10 Pecina Iscorta GR is showing even on night #2, I would assume the 904 needs at least a decade.
For the unfamiliar, obvious oak is a feature of classic Rioja and not something to be concerned about. They have remained that way since pre-Parker and through post-Parker backlash.