Faustino I Gran Reserva

Faustino I Gran Reserva is one of the most famous Rioja wines ever — a benchmark for the region for decades and still the best-selling Gran Reserva worldwide.

The Faustino winery originated in Oyón in the Rioja Alavesa region , where Julio Faustino laid the foundation for one of Spain's most important wineries in the 1960s. The Tempranillo grape—complemented by small amounts of Graciano and Mazuelo—grows here on calcareous clay soils, which give the wine its characteristic structure. As a Gran Reserva, the wine spends at least two years in oak barrels and a further three years in the bottle before leaving the winery.

In the glass, it displays ripe blackberry and plum , underpinned by vanilla and cedar from barrel aging. With time, it opens up to spicy notes of leather and tobacco. The palate is full-bodied with softly integrated tannins, the acidity remains lively – the finish is long and balsamic.

Serving temperature: 16–18 °C. Pairs well with leg of lamb, Ibérico pork, or aged Manchego cheese . If you have an open bottle: decant it two hours before drinking; it's worth it.