In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: red and black cherry, cedar, dried herb, spice

Palate: dark fruit, fine tannin, savoury, fresh

A balanced Reserva from old-vine Rioja Oriental fruit at Quel: savoury, fresh and traditional, with a Graciano lift.

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.

History

The Ontanon Reserva draws on old-vine fruit at Quel in Rioja Oriental.

  1. 1985 — Bodegas Ontanon established

Facts

Producer
Bodegas Ontanon
Grapes
Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%)
Classification
DOCa Rioja
Oak
Around 18 months in oak
ABV
14.0%
Price
EUR 12 to 22 at retail
Drinking window
5 to 18 from vintage
First vintage
1985

Scores

  • Tim Atkin 89 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2022)

Tags

cellar worthy dry graciano high acid medium body medium tannin mood rustic mood savoury occasion dinner party occasion weeknight old vines old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with charcuterie pairs with red meat price everyday still red tempranillo value pick
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