Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2017: best 2021 to 2032.
vintage4 yrs15 yrs17 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2021 | 2017 | 90/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, cedar
Palate: red fruit, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury
The house's historic Vina Pomal Reserva, a classic Haro red: savoury, balanced and reliable, with the traditional oak-spice signature and good value.
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 Vina Pomal Reserva
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: 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
Vina Pomal has been the house's flagship brand since 1908, with the Reserva a long-standing classic Rioja.
- 1908: Vina Pomal brand established
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Bilbainas · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (5%), Mazuelo (5%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 18 to 20 months in oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 12 to 18 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4 to 15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1908
Frequently asked about Vina Pomal Reserva
What does Vina Pomal Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, cedar. On the palate, red fruit, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a medium finish. The house's historic Vina Pomal Reserva, a classic Haro red: savoury, balanced and reliable, with the traditional oak-spice signature and good value.
When should I drink Vina Pomal Reserva?
Drink 4 to 15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Vina Pomal 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 Vina Pomal 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 Vina Pomal Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (5%), Mazuelo (5%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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