Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva by Marques de Riscal

Structure

Bodymedium

Tanninmedium

Acidityhigh

Sweetnessdry

Finishlong

Oakoak aged

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2015: best 2023 to 2040.

vintage8 yrs25 yrs27 yrs

Critic scores

Critic	Vintage	Score
Tim Atkin reviewed 2022	2015	92/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, sweet spice

Palate: macerated red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury

The classical Gran Reserva from the historic Elciego house, long-aged in American oak; savoury, dried-fruit and tobacco-led, made only in the better years.

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.More wines for lamb →
Chuleton de buey a la brasa A thick aged-beef chop over embers meets the wine's savoury oak and grip.More wines for steak →Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
Jamon iberico Cured Iberian ham echoes the wine's dried-cherry and leather register.More wines for ham →
Roast partridge Game and the Gran Reserva's tobacco depth align.More wines for game →

With cheese

Queso Camerano Our pick Two years or more in oak and long bottle ageing make Gran Reserva Rioja mature and complex, medium in tannin and high in acidity; curado Camerano, hard, salty and faintly bitter with wild-herb notes, meets that depth, and the acidity cuts its fat.

How to serve Marques de Riscal 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

The Gran Reserva is made in the better vintages and aged for years in American oak, a classical expression of the historic house.

1862Early Gran Reserva style established at Elciego

Facts

Producer: Marques de Riscal · visiting guide
Grapes: Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (7%), Mazuelo (3%)
Classification: DOCa Rioja
Oak: Around 30 months in American oak, then long bottle ageing
ABV: 14.0%
Price: EUR 30 to 55 at retail
Drinking window: 8 to 25 from vintage
First vintage: 1862

Frequently asked about Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva

What does Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva taste like?

On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, sweet spice. On the palate, macerated red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The classical Gran Reserva from the historic Elciego house, long-aged in American oak; savoury, dried-fruit and tobacco-led, made only in the better years.

When should I drink Marques de Riscal Gran 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 Marques de Riscal 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 Marques de Riscal 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 Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva?

The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (7%), Mazuelo (3%). 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