In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: black cherry, cedar, tobacco, mocha, dried herb

Palate: dark fruit, fine tannin, spice, savoury

The estate's signature Reserva, made with the shoulder-selection method: powerful and polished yet structured and savoury, built to age.

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.
  • Venison loin
    Dark game meets the wine's mocha-and-cedar depth.

How to serve Remirez de Ganuza Reserva

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. 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 Reserva is the estate's calling card, made from selected bunch-shoulder fruit and aged over two years in mixed oak.

  1. 1991 — First Remirez de Ganuza Reserva

Facts

Producer
Remirez de Ganuza
Grapes
Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%)
Classification
DOCa Rioja
Oak
Around 26 months in French and American oak
ABV
14.5%
Price
EUR 40 to 70 at retail
Drinking window
8 to 25 from vintage
First vintage
1991

Scores

  • Tim Atkin 94 (2015 vintage, reviewed 2021)

Frequently asked about Remirez de Ganuza Reserva

What does Remirez de Ganuza Reserva taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, mocha, dried herb. On the palate, dark fruit, fine tannin, spice, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The estate's signature Reserva, made with the shoulder-selection method: powerful and polished yet structured and savoury, built to age.

When should I drink Remirez de Ganuza Reserva?

Drink 8 to 25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Remirez 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 Remirez 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 Remirez de Ganuza Reserva?

The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.

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