In the glass
Aroma: red and black cherry, cedar, dried herb, spice
Palate: red fruit, fine tannin, savoury, fresh
A fresh, balanced Alavesa Reserva from the grower family: savoury and polished, a strong-value estate Rioja.
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 Ostatu 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 Ostatu Reserva is the family's classic estate red from Samaniego.
- 1970 — Bodega established at Samaniego
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Ostatu
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 18 months in French and American oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 15 to 25 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1970
Scores
- Tim Atkin 90 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Ostatu Reserva
What does Ostatu Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red and black cherry, cedar, dried herb, spice. On the palate, red fruit, fine tannin, savoury, fresh. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A fresh, balanced Alavesa Reserva from the grower family: savoury and polished, a strong-value estate Rioja.
When should I drink Ostatu 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 Ostatu 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 Ostatu 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 Ostatu Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.