July 24, 2025
Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2016 - a must for Rioja lovers
2016 La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva
This Gran Reserva sets a benchmark not only for the estate but for the entire Rioja region. The 2016 vintage scores very highly from both Vinous and the Wine Advocate.
La Rioja Alta stands as one of Spain’s greatest traditional wineries, celebrated for crafting elegant, age-worthy Rioja with a timeless style. Founded in 1890 and based in Haro’s historic Barrio de la Estación, the estate blends heritage with meticulous craftsmanship. American oak ageing, extended cellaring, and a focus on Tempranillo deliver wines of finesse, balance, and longevity. La Rioja Alta remains a benchmark for classic Rioja, with a reputation built on consistency and understated excellence.
The 2016 growing season was long and even, with balanced weather supporting slow, steady ripening. Cool spring conditions delayed growth, while a mild, dry harvest allowed for staggered picking at perfect maturity. The wines show vibrant acidity, refined tannins, and precise aromatics, promising excellent ageing potential.
The 904 Gran Reserva is La Rioja Alta’s flagship expression of classic, long-aged Rioja.The name 904 Gran Reserva honours the 1904 merger between La Rioja Alta and Rioja Ardanza.
The 2016 La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva is a textbook example of traditional, long-aged Rioja at its finest. A blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, it spent four years in American oak, developing layers of cigar box, tobacco leaf, vanilla, and balsamic spice. Silky, fresh, and remarkably complex, it balances ripe fruit with savoury depth. This is a beautifully crafted, age-worthy Rioja with decades of potential ahead.
When we tasted the previous vintage, we thought it was one of the best editions of 904 yet — but the 2016 takes it even further, with even higher scores. Vinous awarded it 97 points, while the Wine Advocate followed closely with 96 Points. James Suckling summed it up perfectly: “Goes on for a minute, if not more. Such a hedonistic Rioja that delivers sheer pleasure”.
At a price of €59* In Bond per bottle, the 904 offers fantastic value. You’ll be wanting a few cases of these for your collection.
La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva Rioja 2016
€59* In Bond per bottle
97 Points | Vinous, Joaquín Hidalgo
The 2016 Gran Reserva 904 from Rioja Alta is composed of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. It aged for four years in American oak barrels, 20% of which were new. This has a slightly sun-kissed profile, opening with pronounced oaky aromas followed by classic tertiary notes of clove, licorice, vanilla and caramel, alongside hints of tobacco leaf and bay. This is complex in its maturity, offering good volume, creamy texture and a seamless flow across the palate. A touch of camphor appears at the finish, adding energy to the approachable character. The extended aging in oak defines the long, composed finale. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2050
97 Points | James Suckling
Such a deep and complex gran reserva with richness and depth. Genuinely intense and harmonious, with cigar box, pine cones, black mushrooms and high-grade wood and vanilla. Juicy, flavorful and really long. Goes on for a minute, if not more. Such a hedonistic Rioja that delivers sheer pleasure. 90% tempranillo and 10% graciano. Drink or hold.
96 Points | Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez
I find the 2016 Gran Reserva 904 to be spectacular and a textbook example of the grand traditional style. It was produced with 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from a selection of vineyards in search of balanced wines with silky tannins, good acidity, character, length and aging potential. The élevage is long, four years in used barrels averaging 4.5 years of age, during which time the wine is manually racked every six months. It's ripe with 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.61 and 5.4 grams of acidity, but the wine is super fresh and complex, with aromas of cigar box, balsamic, dry tea leaves, aromatic herbs, camphor, antiquary furniture and tobacco. It's elegant and intense, with pungent flavors and very good freshness, and it's silky, textured and nicely structured, with volume, clean, intense and long. This is a very complete year for 904. It's ready, but it should last. 120,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2021.
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.