2015 La Rioja Alta S.A. “904 Selección Especial” Gran Reserva, Rioja

Silky, elegant, and full of finesse with wild strawberry, red cherry, and plum layered with tobacco, coffee, cedar, and vanilla, finishing long and refined.

About the Winery: Established in 1890 in Haroof historic railway district, La Rioja Alta S.A. is one of Spainof most revered Rioja producers, renowned for crafting classically styled Reserva and Gran Reserva wines aged extensively in oak. Founded by five families ‚¬” including the Aranas, Ardanzas, and Alberdis ‚¬” their names now grace the estateof celebrated wines. In 1996, a new state-of-the-art winery in Labastida was completed, combining tradition and technology to enhance fruit purity and consistency. La Rioja Alta maintains its own cooperage, producing barrels from hand-selected American oak, air-dried on site. Manual racking by candlelight every six months and sustainable vineyard practices ensure quality and authenticity. In 2022, *Drinks International* named La Rioja Alta S.A. the *Worldof Fourth Most Admired Wine Brand*.

Grape Variety: 89% Tempranillo, 11% Graciano ‚ sourced from vineyards in Villalba, Brinas, and Rodezno, with the Graciano component from the Montecillo estate in Fuenmayor. These high-elevation vineyards are sustainably farmed with integrated pest management and biodiversity initiatives, including insect shelters and water reuse systems. The vines benefit from balanced canopy growth and even ripening under optimal climatic conditions.

Appearance: Garnet-red with brick hues at the rim, showing maturity and finesse.

Aroma: Deeply aromatic with notes of wild strawberry, cherry, and plum layered with tobacco, coffee, cedar, vanilla, and hints of cinnamon blossom and caramel.

Palate: Elegant and structured, offering fine tannins and a silky mouthfeel. Alcoholic fermentation took place over 21 days with indigenous yeasts, followed by malolactic conversion. Aged for four years in American oak barrels (average 4.5 years old) with manual candlelight rackings every six months, then bottle-aged for an additional four years. The result is a refined and complex Rioja with freshness, balance, and remarkable ageing potential.

Body: Medium-bodied with refined structure and graceful evolution.

Acidity: Fresh and well-integrated, balancing mature fruit and oak complexity.

Cellaring Potential: Enjoy now or cellar for up to 20 years for evolved tertiary notes of tobacco, leather, and spice.

Perfect Pairing: Ideal with slow-roasted lamb, aged Manchego, or venison with rosemary and garlic.

Serving Temperature: Serve at 16‚18°C to highlight its aromatic finesse and silky texture.

Contains sulphites. Information provided to the best of our knowledge at time of publication and subject to change by vintage.