For some of you, this may be old news, but today I found on the [Consejo Regulador's of La Rioja's->http://www.riojawine.com/en/menu.htm] website an article stating that 2004 was given an “Excellent” rating as a vintage. The neat part about the article is the graphs and detailed analysis given on the vintage as a whole. What this means for us consumers is that in 2-5 years we will start seeing these wines hitting the shelve, due to the long aging process required by the DO. Check out the article below and start saving your pennies for this potentially Excellent vintage!

Till soon, Ryan

AN “EXCELLENT” RATING CONFIRMS 2004 RIOJA AS A HISTORIC VINTAGE
The 267 million litres finally approved have the best analytical parameters of the last few vintages.
The DOCa Rioja Control Board decided to award the 2004 vintage the highest rating -”EXCELLENT”- after confirming that its wines evince the best quality parameters of the last few years. This was shown by the results obtained during the approval process, obligatory for all wines before being granted the entitlement pertaining to the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja. This general rating for the vintage confirms the comments on the great quality of the grapes made by the Control Board after the harvest, as well as the impressions of wine technicians during vinification. All agree that the 2004 vintage is destined to become one of Rioja’s ‘historic vintages’.

The analytical parameters of the 2004 vintage are undoubtedly the best obtained to date, even when compared to such emblematic vintages as 1994. This magnificent result was achieved thanks to favourable weather during most of the 2004 growth cycle, and particularly during the harvest. Appropriate weather helps the grapes to ripen properly and stay healthy. Most of the grapes arrived at the bodega with good alcohol potential figures, good concentration of colouring material and good aromatic sensations; key factors in the vinification of top quality wines suitable for ageing.

The 2004 vintage has been generous not only with respect to quality, but also in terms of quantity. The 58,177 hectares in production during the 2004 harvest yielded 473 million kilograms of grapes -up 7.4% compared to 2003- which were used to make a total of 344.24 million litres of wine. The application of the maximum production yields set by the Control Board for this harvest, aimed at optimising quality, resulted in a total of 385 million kilograms being allowed to be vinified as Rioja wine. This allowed ample scope for a strict selection of grapes. To a great extent, the success of the results obtained is due to the regulations for Rioja wines set out by the wine industry and represented by the Control Board. These regulations aim to improve the quality and originality of wines, with moderate production, reinforced approval parameters and separation of wines by types. The regulations have meant an additional effort that reinforces the region’s commitment to the excellence of Rioja wines and to consolidate its reputation and therefore the confidence of consumers….[Click here to learn more about the 2004 Vintage.->http://www.riojawine.com/en/actualidad/noticias/news/05-04-08.htm]

Wine, Rioja, Vintage Info

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