In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice
Palate: macerated red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury
The internationally famous frosted-bottle Gran Reserva: long-aged, savoury and dried-fruit-led in a classical style, one of the world's best-known Rioja labels.
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. -
Roast partridge
Game and the wine's tobacco depth align.
How to serve Faustino I Gran 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
Faustino I, in its etched frosted bottle, became one of the most exported Gran Reservas in the world.
- 1960 — Faustino I frosted-bottle Gran Reserva established
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Faustino
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (8%), Mazuelo (7%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 24 to 30 months in oak, then long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 18 to 30 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1960
Scores
- Tim Atkin 90 (2012 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Faustino I Gran Reserva
What does Faustino I Gran Reserva taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice. On the palate, macerated red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The internationally famous frosted-bottle Gran Reserva: long-aged, savoury and dried-fruit-led in a classical style, one of the world's best-known Rioja labels.
When should I drink Faustino I Gran Reserva?
Drink 8 to 25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Faustino I Gran 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 Faustino I Gran 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 Faustino I Gran Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (8%), Mazuelo (7%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.