In the glass
Aroma: blackberry, dried plum, tobacco, spice
Palate: dark cherry, black pepper, cedar, mineral
Fuller-bodied Reserva with dark fruit, tobacco and spice from 18 months in oak, gaining complexity on the chalky Roa plateau soils.
What it pairs with
-
Roast suckling pig
The wine's structure and dark fruit balance the richness of cochinillo. -
Beef stew with mushrooms
Earthy notes in the wine pair with the fungal and meaty stew. -
Aged Idiazabal cheese
Firm tannins soften against the smoky, firm sheep's-milk cheese.
How to serve Briego 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. Roast suckling pig, Beef stew with mushrooms, Aged Idiazabal cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Briego's Reserva tier applies extended oak ageing to selected parcels from the Roa de Duero plateau. The chalky limestone clay soils contribute a mineral thread through the dark fruit and spice character.
- 2003 — First Reserva vintage released from Roa de Duero estate
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Briego
- Grapes
- Tinto Fino
- Classification
- DO Ribera del Duero
- Oak
- 18 months in French and American oak barrels
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 20-30 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2003
Frequently asked about Briego Reserva
What does Briego Reserva taste like?
On the nose, blackberry, dried plum, tobacco, spice. On the palate, dark cherry, black pepper, cedar, mineral. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. Fuller-bodied Reserva with dark fruit, tobacco and spice from 18 months in oak, gaining complexity on the chalky Roa plateau soils.
When should I drink Briego Reserva?
Drink 5-12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Briego Reserva?
Roast suckling pig is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Beef stew with mushrooms and Aged Idiazabal cheese. The wine's structure and dark fruit balance the richness of cochinillo.
What grapes are in Briego Reserva?
The blend is Tinto Fino. The wine is classified as DO Ribera del Duero.