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 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
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
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A char-grilled aged-beef chop matches Chirel's firm tannin and mocha oak. -
Venison loin
Dark game meets the cassis-and-espresso density. -
Aged Manchego
Hard cheese balances the structured frame.
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.
- 1986: First 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.
Tags
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