La Rioja Alta
Gran Reserva 904 2009
Italy & Spain
About the SessionThe Italian offering is led by the great Super Tuscans of Bolgheri and Chianti Classico, along with Brunello di Montalcino making a strong line-up. We are equally delighted to present some of Spain’s finest and most traditional houses from the renowned regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, creating a compelling collection of distinguished Italian and Spanish wines.
LOT 55
La Rioja Alta
Gran Reserva 904 2009
ZAR 1 100
About this Item
La Rioja Alta, founded in 1890 in the railway district of Haro, is one of Rioja's most revered traditional houses. Gran Reserva 904 is one of its flagship long-aged reds, a Tempranillo-Graciano blend given years in American oak and bottle before release. 2009 was a powerful, ripe but balanced Rioja vintage. Neal Martin from Vinous gave it a rating of 96, Luis Gutiérrez from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it 95+, Thomas Matthews from Wine Spectator gave it 92, and Jancis Robinson gave it 17 out of 20.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
"The 2009 Gran Reserva 904 is a stunning Rioja. Pure crushed strawberry, Morello cherries, fireside hearth and terracotta on the fabulous, exquisitely defined bouquet leaves you instantly entranced. The palate is so elegant and refined with its cashmere tannins, perfectly pitched acidity and sumptuous red-fruit driven finish. It is everything I love about Rioja." - Neal Martin, Vinous, 96/100 (May 2025)
"The 904 for sale is already the 2009 Gran Reserva 904. This super classical cuvée showcases the wines from Haro, silky and elegant after long aging in oak and a good future in bottle. 2009 was a powerful vintage, ripe but with good balance. The blend is approximately 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, fermented in stainless steel with a 78-day natural malolactic." - Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95+/100 (Feb 2018)
"This red shows a vibrant maturity, with tea and leather notes accenting red plum, orange peel and spice flavors in a round, polished texture. Bright acidity and well-integrated tannins give this structure. Graceful and expressive." - Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Sep 2018)
"Luminous ruby. Intense nose that recalls molten butter as well as rich, ripe, delectable animal aromas. Great sweetness but no obvious oakiness. Clearly some bottle age here and some delightful freshness. Savoury note on the finish." - Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Dec 2017)
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