In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, cedar
Palate: red fruit, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury
The widely available Reserva: classic, savoury and reliable, a strong-value traditional Rioja 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 Faustino V 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 V is the house's classic Reserva, a high-volume traditional Rioja.
- 1960 — Faustino V Reserva established
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Faustino
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (92%), Mazuelo (8%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 18 months in oak
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 10 to 16 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4 to 15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1960
Scores
- Tim Atkin 88 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Faustino V Reserva
What does Faustino V 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 widely available Reserva: classic, savoury and reliable, a strong-value traditional Rioja red.
When should I drink Faustino V 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 Faustino V 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 V 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 V Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (92%), Mazuelo (8%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.