In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, cedar
Palate: red fruit, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury
A classical Reserva in the traditional Cenicero style: savoury, long-oaked and elegant, a dependable value Rioja.
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 Vina Albina 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
Vina Albina is the house's traditional Reserva line.
- 1942 — Vina Albina brand established
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Riojanas
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Mazuelo (5%), Graciano (5%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 24 months in oak
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 12 to 20 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1942
Scores
- Tim Atkin 89 (2016 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Vina Albina Reserva
What does Vina Albina 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 long finish. A classical Reserva in the traditional Cenicero style: savoury, long-oaked and elegant, a dependable value Rioja.
When should I drink Vina Albina Reserva?
Drink 5 to 18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Vina Albina 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 Vina Albina 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 Vina Albina Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Mazuelo (5%), Graciano (5%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.