The 2005 Gran Reserva 904 is a superb blend. These wines are marked by a long aging following the most strict Riojan tradition; four years during which time the wine was manually racked eight times. This is usually my favorite wine from La Rioja Alta and 2005 is one of its best showings. The nose is very balsamic with notes of camphor, hints of mint, leather and hung game wrapped around a core of cherries in liqueur. Together it is balanced, subtle, truly elegant and classical. The palate is only mediumbodied but with great concentration of flavors that are very tasty, mineral, almost salty and framed by ultrafine tannins and smashing balance. A great classic. This wine will be released a full ten years after the vintage. At this quality level this is a bargain.

pale ruby, brick rim edge. Nose: spicy, fine reductive notes, wet leather, aged wood nuances, ripe fruit. Palate: spicy, fine tannins, balanced, elegant. Personality.

Bright rubyred. Complex, intensely perfumed bouquet of candied cherry, vanilla, mocha, cured tobacco and spicecake, with a suave potpourri note becoming stronger in the glass. Offers sweet, penetrating cherrycola and lavender pastille flavors complicated by hints of smoky minerals and candied licorice. The long, subtly tannic finish delivers noteworthy energy and focus, leaving suave spicecake and cherry liqueur notes behind.