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This wine was originally called Reserva 1904. It was released to mark the merger with Bodegas Ardanza, until then privately owned by one of La Rioja Alta’s stockholders. In the early years the blend used to include Mazuelo and Viura but both of them have been progressively replaced by Graciano. This variety has such a strong personality that it rarely exceeds 10% nowadays, explained Julio Sáenz.
Considered one of the best Rioja vintages in the 20th century, 1964 was a generous year both in terms of quality and quantity. There was little rain but it arrived just when needed and the alcohol levels were relatively high for the time. This wine is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano and 10% Viura coming from small wine growers with vineyards in Haro, Briñas, Briones, Villalba and Labastida. It spent a year in large 18,000-litre wooden vats before being aged for six years in used American oak barrels with nine racks altogether. Medium garnet colour. Slightly closed at the beginning with dusty and metallic nuances, it evolves to reveal chocolate, spices and antique furniture-like aromas. Lively acidity and really silky on the palate with high-quality tannins. This is a fine, persistent red and a great example to experience what old Rioja should taste like.
The 1964 vintage is often referred to in reverential tones as the historical best, the benchmark against which all subsequent 904’s are measured: Robert Parker’s Neal Martin rated the 1964 Gran Reserva 904 at 97 points, making it tied for the highest rating Robert Parker ever awarded to a La Rioja Alta wine (the other 97, interestingly, was the 1964 La Rioja Alta Ardanza Reserva). They also ranked the 1964 Gran Reserva 904 as 3rd best among 702 wines sampled.
Indeed, the 1964 is quite a landmark vintage for La Rioja Alta.
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