La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

Rioja DOCa, Spain

The benchmark for traditional Rioja Gran Reserva — La Rioja Alta's 904 spends minimum 4 years in American oak (in the classic Rioja tradition) before release. Tempranillo-dominant; the extended oak aging creates vanilla, coconut, dried strawberry, leather, and tobacco notes that are entirely different from modern international-style Rioja. Released only after minimum 6 years total aging. Consistently considered the best-value Gran Reserva in Rioja — 93-96 points at premium pricing.

Pairing intelligence

• main: La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva's traditional Tempranillo character — vanilla, leather, dried strawberry, American oak coconut — pairs perfectly with herb-roasted lamb, the classic Spanish pairing. The extended American oak aging creates the vanilla-spice bridge that makes traditional Gran Reserva one of the world's most versatile wine styles with roasted meats.
• main: Classic Rioja Gran Reserva and roast lamb is Spain's most iconic food pairing
• main: Granulated pork crackling fat is tamed by Rioja's acidity and old-vine tannins
• cheese: Lanolin and buttery Manchego softens Tempranillo tannins; quince echoes red fruit
• main: Mineral aged beef and classic Rioja Gran Reserva are an eternal Spanish match
• starter: Crispy croquette and mushroom-ham filling echo Rioja's earthy, savoury depth
• main: Long-cooked collagen and dark sauce mirror Rioja's aged complexity and dark fruit