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 2018: best 2023 to 2036.
vintage5 yrs18 yrs20 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2022 | 2018 | 91/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, tobacco
Palate: red fruit, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury
One of Rioja's most historic Reservas, aged in American oak in a classical, savoury style; reliable, elegant and a worldwide benchmark for the category.
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 Marques de Riscal 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
Marques de Riscal has made Reserva-style reds since the 1860s, among the first Bordeaux-influenced wines in Rioja, and the Reserva remains a global classic.
- 1858: Bodega founded at Elciego
- 1862: Early Bordeaux-influenced Reserva style established
Facts
- Producer
- Marques de Riscal · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (7%), Mazuelo (3%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 24 months in American oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 14 to 22 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1862
Frequently asked about Marques de Riscal Reserva
What does Marques de Riscal Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, tobacco. On the palate, red fruit, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. One of Rioja's most historic Reservas, aged in American oak in a classical, savoury style; reliable, elegant and a worldwide benchmark for the category.
When should I drink Marques de Riscal Reserva?
Drink 5 to 18 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 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 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 Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (7%), Mazuelo (3%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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