Professional Ratings

• 98 James Suckling
  Fresh blueberries and brambleberries take center stage, which is striking for a wine of this age. There are also lots of roasted herbs, such as sage, not to mention floral elements, including lavender and dried violets. Then come cedar, sandalwood and tar. The tannins are incredibly round and soft, without the slightest hint of anything dry. This is among the most elegant of Riojas, where the acidity is wonderfully pronounced and cuts right through any touch of dried fruit. Long and powerful, yet subtle on the finish. Drink now, or hold for a very long time.
• 96 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  It seems like yesterday when the superb 2001 was released, and now I already have the 2010 Gran Reserva 904 in my glass. It has to be among the greatest modern time vintages of this mythical bottling, where they aim for a wine that has a long aging potential. This is mostly Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 13.5% alcohol, and it matured in fourth-used American oak barrels for four years, during which time the wine was racked every six months. It has the combination of elegance and power only the best vintages are capable of, with the classical aromas, great detail and nuance, very good balance and persistence. They consider 2010 among the best years of this century, and maybe future generations will talk about 2010 like we talk about the great classical vintages of yesterday today. The palate is polished but shows plenty of energy and tension, the tannins are very fine and elegant, and the flavors are focused and clean. This has to be one of the greatest wines from the vintage. A legend in the making. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2015. 96+
• 93 Decanter

  Very interesting and original nose of dried rose petals, crunch raspberries and sweet spices. Medium rounded tannin's with a lengthy and complex finish.

• 92 Wine & Spirits

  Graciano adds fragrant red-fruit notes to this tempranillo’s darker tones, while fine oak contributes some charry tannins. This is an elegant wine with underlying firmness and power, compellingly easy to drink on release. You could take it in a meaty direction, with the bones of grilled lamb chops to chew on, or focus on its elegance with roast fish and morels.

• 91 Wine Enthusiast

  Earthy aromas of dried red fruits are spicy and leafy, with no overt ripeness whatsoever. A mix of racy acidity and pulpy fruit makes for a balanced palate with La Rioja Alta’s patented elegance, while this tastes of earthy cherry and dried red currant. Only on the finish does one catch a touch of berry ripeness and raisin. Drink through 2030.

• 91 Wine Spectator
  This light, polished red offers woodsy flavors of forest floor and loamy earth, with a core of cherry and berry fruit and vanilla and spice accents. Graceful and harmonious. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2030.