In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, cedar
Palate: red fruit, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury
A balanced, savoury Reserva from the Haro house: classic oak spice over fresh Tempranillo, a dependable value 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 Ramon Bilbao 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 Ramon Bilbao Reserva is the house's core classic red.
- 1924 — Bodegas Ramon Bilbao founded at Haro
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Ramon Bilbao
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (5%), Mazuelo (5%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 20 months in oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 12 to 18 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4 to 15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1924
Scores
- Tim Atkin 89 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Ramon Bilbao Reserva
What does Ramon Bilbao Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red cherry, vanilla, dried herb, cedar. On the palate, red fruit, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a medium finish. A balanced, savoury Reserva from the Haro house: classic oak spice over fresh Tempranillo, a dependable value Rioja.
When should I drink Ramon Bilbao Reserva?
Drink 4 to 15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Ramon Bilbao 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 Ramon Bilbao 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 Ramon Bilbao Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (5%), Mazuelo (5%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.