Profile

Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninmedium
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oakoak aged

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2016: best 2022 to 2036.

vintage6 yrs20 yrs22 yrs

Critic scores

CriticVintageScore
Tim Atkin reviewed 2022201693/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: red and black cherry, cedar, tobacco, dried herb, spice

Palate: red fruit, fine tannin, savoury, mineral

The boutique's single Reserva, a pure French-oak-aged Tempranillo bridging modern and classic: elegant, savoury and finely structured.

What it pairs with

With cheese

How to serve Valenciso Reserva

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: 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

Valenciso essentially makes one wine, a classically styled Reserva from purchased old-vine fruit, aged in French oak.

  1. 1998Valenciso founded, focused on a single Reserva

Facts

Producer
Valenciso · visiting guide
Grapes
Tempranillo (100%)
Classification
DOCa Rioja
Oak
Around 18 months in French oak, then long bottle ageing
ABV
14.0%
Price
EUR 25 to 40 at retail
Drinking window
6 to 20 from vintage
First vintage
1998

Frequently asked about Valenciso Reserva

What does Valenciso Reserva taste like?

On the nose, red and black cherry, cedar, tobacco, dried herb, spice. On the palate, red fruit, fine tannin, savoury, mineral. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The boutique's single Reserva, a pure French-oak-aged Tempranillo bridging modern and classic: elegant, savoury and finely structured.

When should I drink Valenciso Reserva?

Drink 6 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Valenciso 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 Valenciso 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 Valenciso Reserva?

The blend is Tempranillo (100%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.

Tags

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