In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice
Palate: red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury
The historic Vina Real Gran Reserva: long-aged, savoury and balanced, a classical CVNE red from Rioja Alavesa fruit.
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. -
Roast partridge
Game and the wine's tobacco depth align.
How to serve Vina Real Gran 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
Vina Real has been a CVNE brand since the 1920s, with the Gran Reserva a long-aged classic.
- 1920 — Vina Real brand established
Facts
- Producer
- Vina Real
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (5%), Garnacha (3%), Mazuelo (2%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 24 months in French and American oak, then long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 25 to 45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1920
Scores
- Tim Atkin 92 (2015 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Vina Real Gran Reserva
What does Vina Real Gran Reserva taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice. On the palate, red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The historic Vina Real Gran Reserva: long-aged, savoury and balanced, a classical CVNE red from Rioja Alavesa fruit.
When should I drink Vina Real Gran 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 Vina Real Gran 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 Vina Real Gran 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 Vina Real Gran Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (5%), Garnacha (3%), Mazuelo (2%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.