In the glass
Aroma: black cherry, cedar, mocha, dried herb, spice
Palate: dark fruit, fine tannin, savoury, mineral
An old-vine Tempranillo Reserva in a modern, polished style: dark, structured and savoury, the project's core red.
What it pairs with
-
Cordero asado al sarmiento
Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat. -
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A thick aged-beef chop over embers meets the wine's savoury oak and grip. -
Jamon iberico
Cured Iberian ham echoes the wine's dried-cherry and leather register.
How to serve Amaren Reserva
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cordero asado al sarmiento, Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Jamon iberico. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Amaren Reserva is the core old-vine Tempranillo of the premium project.
- 1996 — Amaren project created
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Amaren
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 20 months in French oak
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 25 to 45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1996
Scores
- Tim Atkin 92 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Amaren Reserva
What does Amaren Reserva taste like?
On the nose, black cherry, cedar, mocha, dried herb, spice. On the palate, dark fruit, fine tannin, savoury, mineral. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. An old-vine Tempranillo Reserva in a modern, polished style: dark, structured and savoury, the project's core red.
When should I drink Amaren Reserva?
Drink 6 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Amaren Reserva?
Cordero asado al sarmiento is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey a la brasa and Jamon iberico. Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat.
Is Amaren Reserva vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Amaren Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.