Gran Reserva 904 was originally released as Reserva 1904. It was named to commemorate a very important date for the La Rioja Alta Winery: the proposed merger by Don Alfredo Ardanza of La Rioja Alta and Bodega Ardanza. The” 1” was eventually dropped to prevent confusion with the actual 1904 vintage. In addition, the year 1904 was also considered to be one of the greatest vintages in local history.

Gran Reserva 904 is made only in exceptional vintages, with the best harvests from the oldest vineyards. It’s a classic Rioja at its best and is amongst the finest wines being produced in Rioja today.

The 2015 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 [Proprietary Blend] from Rioja, Spain, is a red wine made predominantly from Tempranillo (approximately 89-90%) with a smaller proportion of Graciano (10-11%). The wine has received commendable reviews from various wine critics, highlighting its complex character and promising aging potential.

Wine Spectator awarded the wine a score of 93, describing it as "rich and velvety" with a medley of flavors including "mulled cherry, dark chocolate, herbed olive, eucalyptus, iron, and milled pepper notes." The wine’s finish is accented by "fine-grained, chalky tannins" and lingering hints of "forest floor and sandalwood" (Wine Spectator, 10/31/2023).

John Gilman from View From The Cellar gave an even higher score of 95, praising its "stunningly beautiful bouquet" which includes "red and black raspberries, cigar wrapper, and a lovely array of Rioja spice tones." The wine’s palate is described as "deep, ripe, and full-bodied," with "superb soil inflection and grip" and a "very, very long, complex and utterly refined finish" (John Gilman, 5/1/2023).

James Suckling was particularly enthusiastic, scoring it 98 points and noting its "very impressive complexity and width on the nose." He highlighted its "savoriness with mushrooms, sandalwood, cedar, sweet spices, dried oranges, and tobacco" and praised its "juicy, creamy finish lasting a minute." Suckling recommends buying a case, emphasizing that it will evolve well over the next 20 years (James Suckling, 8/18/2023).

Vinous also gave the wine a solid 95 points, noting its "vivid ruby" color and "expansive red and blue fruit preserve, tobacco, potpourri, spice, and botanical herb aromas." The palate is described as "sappy, penetrating and gently chewy," with a "youthfully tannic finish" (Vinous, 4/1/2021).

Lastly, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also awarded the wine 95 points, commenting on its "tasty, very classical, balanced and fresh" profile. The wine has benefited from time in the bottle, which has polished its strong tannins, making it impressive for such a powerful year (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 3/1/2024).

Overall, the 2015 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is a highly praised wine that offers a rich and complex experience, with significant aging potential.