Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oakoak aged

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2016: best 2024 to 2038.

vintage8 yrs22 yrs24 yrs

Critic scores

CriticVintageScore
Tim Atkin reviewed 2022201693/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: black cherry, cassis, mocha, cedar, mineral

Palate: dark fruit, fine tannin, graphite, savoury

The house's modern prestige Reserva from the Vina Lanciano estate: dark, polished and mineral, aged in French oak.

What it pairs with

With cheese

Queso Camerano Our pick Curado Camerano, ripened at least 75 days, is hard, with a brown-green mould rind and a salty, slightly bitter finish. A Tempranillo-led Reserva, aged a year or more in oak, brings fruit that softens the bitterness, while the cheese's salt tames the tannin.

How to serve Culmen Reserva

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Venison loin, Aged Manchego. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Culmen is the house's prestige Reserva from the river-bounded Vina Lanciano estate.

  1. 2001Culmen introduced as the house prestige Reserva

Facts

Producer
Bodegas LAN · visiting guide
Grapes
Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (15%)
Classification
DOCa Rioja
Oak
Around 18 months in French oak
ABV
14.5%
Price
EUR 35 to 60 at retail
Drinking window
8 to 22 from vintage
First vintage
2001

Frequently asked about Culmen Reserva

What does Culmen Reserva taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, cassis, mocha, cedar, mineral. On the palate, dark fruit, fine tannin, graphite, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The house's modern prestige Reserva from the Vina Lanciano estate: dark, polished and mineral, aged in French oak.

When should I drink Culmen Reserva?

Drink 8 to 22 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Culmen Reserva?

Chuleton de buey a la brasa is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Venison loin and Aged Manchego. A char-grilled beef chop matches the firm tannin and mocha oak.

Is Culmen 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 Culmen Reserva?

The blend is Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (15%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.

Tags

cellar worthy dry firm tannin full body graciano high acid mood bold mood elegant occasion cellar occasion special old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat price premium single vineyard still red tempranillo

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