94pts James Suckling

Extremely linear and structured with a dense center palate of dark fruits and hints of stone. Full to medium body, powerful and polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Tightly wound ball here. Exciting.

93pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The classical 2015 Viña Real Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano from a warm and early harvest that fermented in stainless steel vats and aged in new oak barriques for 22 months with rackings every four months. I find it very expressive, aromatic and open, ripe and hedonistic but without excess. It has the soft and approachable profile of the Alavesa wines but with the grip of the fine-grained, chalky tannins. It's gentle but has clout.

92pts Vinous

Youthful violet color. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, spice-accented red and dark berries, cherry preserves, vanilla and cigar box. A suave floral nuance emerges slowly. Chewy and sharply focused on the palate, offering concentrated blackberry, bitter cherry and mocha flavors that are given spine by a core of juicy acidity. Rich yet energetic in style, displaying impressive finishing power, mounting tannins and a lingering spicecake note.

91pts Wine Enthusiast

Earthy berry and plum aromas come with patented Rioja side notes of vanilla and tobacco, while this reserva from a warm but top-notch vintage feels dry and slightly choppy. Roasted, gamy plum and berry flavors show some buttery oak, peppery notes and a leafy accent in front of a meaty finish touched up by lemony hints.

91pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2015 Vina Real Reserva (90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha) has a pretty, fruit-filled nose of red and blue fruits, vanilla, spice, and cedarwood. With medium-bodied richness and a charming, sweetly fruited, balanced mouthfeel, it's well worth seeking out and will drink nicely for at least 4-6 years.

Wine Spectator

This polished red shows a fruity character, with strawberry, cherry and candied orange flavors. The tannins are smooth, the acidity gentle, the finish scented with vanilla and spice notes. Drink now through 2023. 8,400 cases made, 100 cases imported.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby red in colour, clean and bright. The nose is intense with aromas of ripe red fruits combined with nuances of toffee, spices and smoke from the barrel. The palate is well structured and shows notes similar to those on the nose, with complex traces of beautifully ripe fruit and oak. The finish is long and further demonstrates the wine’s capacity to continue to evolve in the bottle for many years to come. 

Perfect for pairing with red meats and oily fish. Recommended service temperature 18ºC.

About the Wine

The first Viña Real wines were launched in 1920. They were produced from grapes grown
around Elciego in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa province and in which the personality, character and elegance of this region blend seamlessly with the balance achieved through perfect ageing.

Blend: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano