1995 La Rioja Alta, S.A. Gran Reserva 904, excellent condition, mythical vintage Wine: La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 1995 Winery: La Rioja Alta S.A. (Haro, La Rioja) Link to the winery: http://www.riojalta.com Denomination of Origin / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja Varieties: 85% tempranillo, 15% mazuelo and graciano Alcohol: 12.5% vol. Viticulture: Part of the Tempranillo comes from our own oldest vineyards located in the Rioja Alta sub-region, mainly in the municipalities of Ollauri, Rodezno and Cenicero. The rest of the mazuelo and graciano from the Melchorón I and II estates in Briones and Rodezno. A small part of the blend was purchased, after a selection of grapes from the best majuelos of the local producers, on the condition that it contained sufficient sugar to produce at least 12% alcohol and no blending of white grapes. Production: Selection of grapes on arrival at the winery. It remains for 6 months in the winery's large, century-old oak vats, made of grey wood, where it completes malolactic fermentation and stabilises. Aged in 225-litre American oak barrels for a minimum of 60 months, with a total of 10 manual rackings to eliminate the lees and to oxygenate slightly. Bottled in March 1989. Aged for a minimum of 42 months in the bottle before being marketed. Tasting notes: The vintage is noticeable and in what a way. The stability of the colour and intensity attest to this. Medium-high ruby-garnet colour with reddish and amber reflections, bright and clean. Orange rim with marked differences with the meniscus. Thick, permanent tears, quite a sensation of thickness. An exhibition of classicism from La Rioja, of ageing for a lifetime. A powerful, open, communicative 904, with a great expression of all the virtues that have made the wines of La Rioja Alta great. The wine blends the wrapped staves and the red fruit in jam, dried tomatoes, ultra-spicy, with candied notes, pastry cream, pastries, smoked pepper, and some acetic balsamic, syrup, caramelised sugar, reaching the burnt oak, charcoal. What a palette! Very powerful and still exuding finesse: exotic woods, coffee beans, citrus zest. On the palate it combines liveliness and finesse on the same level. Similar to the 1975 904, fatty, with strong acidity, freshness, very tasty: sweet citrus, spicy and spicy notes, red fruit in season, spicy, bitter and creamy woods. The tannins are sweet, velvety, flashing energy and vigour. It lingers on the palate indefinitely with all that candied fruit. What a great wine !!!!