Marques de Riscal Reserva Rioja

Marques de Riscal Reserva Rioja is mainly made from tempranillo vines planted before the 1970s, grown in the best clay-limestone soils of the Rioja Alavesa. This variety withstands oak and bottle aging well thanks to its good acidity and fine tannin balance. The Graciano variety, whose presence in the blend does not exceed 10%, provides freshness and vibrancy of color.

Fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature, and the maceration time is never over 12 days. Riscal reservas spend around two years in American Oak Barrels, producing a wine corresponding to the classic Rioja style: fresh, fine, elegant, and suitable for laying down for many years. Before release for sale, it spends at least one year rounding off in the bottle, time enough to show how much complexity Tempranillo can achieve.

It's an intense black-cherry color with a good depth of color and hardly any signs of evolution. Very expressive aromas on the nose with notes of licorice, cinnamon, and black pepper, with just a subtle hint of the long cask-aging, thanks to its incredible complexity and ripe, concentrated fruit. Fresh and easy to drink on the palate, good backbone, and lovely, polished tannins. The long, persistent finish leaves gentle balsamic reminders of the finest quality.

This wine goes well with ham, mild cheeses, casseroles that are not highly spiced, bean and pulse dishes, poultry, red meat, grills, and roasts.