In the glass
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.
How to serve Ontanon 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 Ontanon Reserva draws on old-vine fruit at Quel in Rioja Oriental.
- 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)
Frequently asked about Ontanon Reserva
What does Ontanon Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red and black cherry, cedar, dried herb, spice. On the palate, dark fruit, fine tannin, savoury, fresh. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A balanced Reserva from old-vine Rioja Oriental fruit at Quel: savoury, fresh and traditional, with a Graciano lift.
When should I drink Ontanon 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 Ontanon 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 Ontanon 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 Ontanon Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.