Baron de Chirel Reserva by Marques de Riscal

Structure

Bodyfull

Tanninfirm

Acidityhigh

Sweetnessdry

Finishlong

Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2016: best 2024 to 2041.

vintage8 yrs25 yrs27 yrs

Critic scores

Critic	Vintage	Score
Tim Atkin reviewed 2022	2016	94/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: blackcurrant, black cherry, mocha, cedar, mint

Palate: dense black fruit, espresso, firm tannin, graphite

The estate's prestige red from old vines including pre-phylloxera Cabernet plantings; dark, structured and French-oak-aged, more international in cut while keeping Rioja freshness.

What it pairs with

Chuleton de buey a la brasa A char-grilled aged-beef chop matches Chirel's firm tannin and mocha oak.More wines for steak →Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
Venison loin Dark game meets the cassis-and-espresso density.More wines for venison →
Aged Manchego Hard cheese balances the structured frame.More wines for aged hard cheese →

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 Baron de Chirel 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

Baron de Chirel is Riscal's prestige red, drawing on old vineyards that include historic Cabernet plantings, aged in new French oak.

1986First Baron de Chirel vintage

Facts

Producer: Marques de Riscal · visiting guide
Grapes: Tempranillo (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%)
Classification: DOCa Rioja
Oak: Around 22 to 24 months in new French oak
ABV: 14.5%
Price: EUR 55 to 100 at retail
Drinking window: 8 to 25 from vintage
First vintage: 1986

Frequently asked about Baron de Chirel Reserva

What does Baron de Chirel Reserva taste like?

On the nose, blackcurrant, black cherry, mocha, cedar, mint. On the palate, dense black fruit, espresso, firm tannin, graphite. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The estate's prestige red from old vines including pre-phylloxera Cabernet plantings; dark, structured and French-oak-aged, more international in cut while keeping Rioja freshness.

When should I drink Baron de Chirel Reserva?

Drink 8 to 25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Baron de Chirel Reserva?

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

Is Baron de Chirel 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 Baron de Chirel Reserva?

The blend is Tempranillo (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.

Taste it where it is made: tastings near Marques de Riscal

Rioja: Bodegas Altanza

Starts 8 km awayGuided tour1.5 hours4.5 from 12 reviewsfrom €25

Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with a tasting.

Check dates and book

Rioja: Wine tour with a winery owner

Starts 15 km awayGuided tour7 hours5.0 from 22 reviewsfrom €300

Taste selected wines at 3 different wineries in Rioja. Visit our own winery from 1881, La Bodega del Tesoro. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a wooden wine press.

Check dates and book