In the glass
Aroma: red and black cherry, cedar, sweet spice, dried herb
Palate: dark fruit, fine tannin, spice, savoury
A more accessible Reserva from estate parcels: polished and ripe with the house's fine tannin, a step below the flagship Reserva in price and structure.
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 Fincas de Ganuza Reserva
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: 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
Fincas de Ganuza is the estate's second Reserva, drawn from younger parcels and released earlier than the flagship.
- 1996 — Fincas de Ganuza introduced as the estate second Reserva
Facts
- Producer
- Remirez de Ganuza
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 18 months in French and American oak
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 25 to 45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1996
Scores
- Tim Atkin 92 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Fincas de Ganuza Reserva
What does Fincas de Ganuza Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red and black cherry, cedar, sweet spice, dried herb. On the palate, dark fruit, fine tannin, spice, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A more accessible Reserva from estate parcels: polished and ripe with the house's fine tannin, a step below the flagship Reserva in price and structure.
When should I drink Fincas de Ganuza 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 Fincas de Ganuza 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 Fincas de Ganuza 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 Fincas de Ganuza Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.