Viña Real Reserva Tempranillo 2017

Classics endure for a reason, and this ‘Reserva’ style wine is a testament to that. Its packaging transports me to a bygone era. Upon opening, spicy oak and then vanilla greet me. With aeration, notes of blackberry, raspberry, and the essence of the rainforest emerge —a truly complex aroma. Meatball pasta is on the menu and while cooking, I am amazed by its showing after a few sips, a sign of great things to come. The addition of fresh basil on top of the dish seamlessly melds its aromas with the wine’s. The ripe fruit flavours in this Tempranillo are complemented by round tannins, silky texture, and gentle acidity. The organic tomato sauce with mushroom and onion pairs deliciously with the wine on the palate, bringing immense joy. This is a robust and multifaceted experience, a wine showcasing its prime now but promising even greater depth over the next decade.

David Stevens-Castro

Wine Critic at Winepilot

David is a wine, beverage & gastronomy consultant. A passionate professional, with rounded expertise: from wine & fruit production as an Agricultural Engineer; marketing, wine trends and wine business as a wine merchant; buying, stock management and financial management as a wine & beverage manager; assessing wines as an international wine judge plus food and wine pairing expert as the co-author of PAIRED Volume 1: Champagne & Sparkling Wines. Find out more about David here at paired-media.com

Wine tasting and teaching