In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, cedar
Palate: red fruit, sweet spice, supple tannin
A reliable everyday Reserva: savoury, oak-spiced and approachable, one of the most widely sold Rioja Reservas.
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 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
The Campo Viejo Reserva is a high-volume, approachable classic Rioja.
- 1959 — Campo Viejo founded near Logrono
Facts
- Producer
- Campo Viejo
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%), Mazuelo (5%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 18 months in oak
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 9 to 14 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4 to 12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1959
Scores
- Tim Atkin 87 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Campo Viejo Reserva
What does Campo Viejo Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, cedar. On the palate, red fruit, sweet spice, supple tannin. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a medium finish. A reliable everyday Reserva: savoury, oak-spiced and approachable, one of the most widely sold Rioja Reservas.
When should I drink Campo Viejo Reserva?
Drink 4 to 12 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 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 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 Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%), Mazuelo (5%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.