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 2016: best 2024 to 2038.
vintage8 yrs22 yrs24 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2022 | 2016 | 93/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
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
-
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A char-grilled beef chop matches the firm tannin and mocha oak. -
Venison loin
Dark game meets the cassis-and-graphite density. -
Aged Manchego
Hard cheese balances the structure.
How to serve Culmen 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. 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.
- 2001: Culmen 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
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