At a glance

Producer

Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza

Region

Rioja, Spain

Grape variety

Tempranillo (with Graciano, Viura, and Malvasía blended, traditional for this wine)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$50-$90 USD

Tasting profile

Aromas of ripe black and red cherry, blackberry, subtle toasted oak, cigar box, roasted herbs, balsam, hints of spice and vanilla. Full-bodied, layered, structured palate with refined tannins and long, balancing acidity.

Evolution: With further aging (2025-2035), tertiary notes of tobacco leaf, leather, forest floor, and dried flowers will emerge, softening the tannic profile and integrating the oak.

At peak: At peak (2027-2035), expect harmonious balance between deep fruit, savory and spicy elements, silky tannins, and a long, complex finish characteristic of top Rioja Reservas.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to high, balancing the richness

Tannins

Firm, polished, abundant but fine-grained

Alcohol

14-14.5% ABV (typical for this cuvée; exact for 2017 vintage is 14.5%)

Aging potential

High; built for long-term cellaring (15-25 years from vintage in top years)

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2027 to 2049

Optimal window

2024 to 2052

Current status

Entering prime drinking window

Current condition

Structured, youthful, and complex; decanting recommended for best expression

Remírez de Ganuza Reserva is among Rioja's most age-worthy modern classics. Sourced from old vines, meticulous grape selection, and extended aging in high quality French oak ensure exceptional longevity. The structure, density, and vintage quality (2017 producing precise, fresh styles) signal superb development potential well past two decades in strong cellaring conditions.

Food pairing

Lamb shank braised with rosemary and garlic, suckling pig, aged Manchego cheese, ibérico pork, beef Wellington, or creamy mushroom risotto. Can pair with grilled vegetables and wild mushroom dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Young Rioja Reserva with dense structure and prominent oak; decanting aerates tannins and reveals aromatic complexity.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Manual harvest, parcel selection, low-intervention winemaking, partial use of renewable energy in facilities, wooden case packaging with mostly recyclable glass. Vineyard management includes biodiversity buffers and moderate water use.

Remírez de Ganuza embraces many sustainable farming and cellar practices (hand selection, reduction of chemicals, resource-conscious winemaking) though lacks formal organic or biodynamic certification as of the 2017 vintage. Packaging is mindful, but transportation to global markets adds environmental cost. The estate’s focus on quality and longevity also means less agricultural turnover and wine wastage. Ongoing improvements (as seen in later vintages) suggest the trajectory is positive; overall, an above-average sustainability profile for a classic Rioja, meriting a '7' on a 10-point sustainability scale.