In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, spice
Palate: red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury
The big brand's classical Gran Reserva: long-aged, savoury and approachable, a reliable introduction to the aged Rioja style.
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 Campo Viejo 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
Campo Viejo's Gran Reserva is the prestige tier of one of Rioja's best-selling brands.
- 1959 — Campo Viejo founded
- 1963 — Gran Reserva style established
Facts
- Producer
- Campo Viejo
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%), Mazuelo (5%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 24 months in oak, then long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 14 to 22 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1963
Scores
- Tim Atkin 89 (2015 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Campo Viejo Gran Reserva
What does Campo Viejo Gran Reserva taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, spice. On the palate, red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The big brand's classical Gran Reserva: long-aged, savoury and approachable, a reliable introduction to the aged Rioja style.
When should I drink Campo Viejo Gran Reserva?
Drink 6 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Campo Viejo 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 Campo Viejo 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 Campo Viejo Gran Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%), Mazuelo (5%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.