In the glass
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
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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. -
Roast partridge
Game and the Gran Reserva's tobacco depth align.
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.
- 1862 — Early Gran Reserva style established at Elciego
Facts
- Producer
- Marques de Riscal
- 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
Scores
- Tim Atkin 92 (2015 vintage, reviewed 2022)
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.