Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo

Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo is a Tempranillo-dominant red wine from Rioja Alavesa, Spain, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by one of Rioja's founding bodegas — established in 1858 — this expression has earned 92 points from both James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast, along with Mundus Vini Gold medals for the 2019 and 2020 vintages.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Rioja Alavesa, Spain  |  Varietal: Tempranillo-led blend  |  Winery: Marqués de Riscal (est. 1858)

Production & Heritage

Marqués de Riscal holds a singular place in Spanish wine history. Founded in 1858 by Camilo Hurtado de Amézaga in the town of Elciego, the bodega was the first in Rioja to adopt French winemaking techniques, brought to the estate by cellar master Jean Pineau from Château Lanessan in Bordeaux. The winery produced the first bottled Rioja wine in 1862, and in 1895 it became the first non-French bodega to receive the Diploma of Honor at the International Exposition of Bordeaux. This Tempranillo expression is built primarily from Tempranillo grapes — approximately 90% — blended with small percentages of Graciano and Mazuelo, and aged in American oak barrels. That oak regimen imparts the structured vanilla and cedar backbone that defines the house style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe damson plum and macerated strawberry, layered with sweet spice — cinnamon and cedar — that transitions into cocoa powder and a hint of balsamic. There is restraint here; the fruit is present but never overblown.

Taste: On the palate, entry is soft and fruit-forward, with cherry and blackberry leading into a mid-palate of vanilla and milk chocolate. Cedar and sweet oak build toward the peak, where mulberry and cassis concentrate alongside well-integrated tannins that provide grip without harshness.

Finish: The finish is medium to long, marked by lingering spice, dried red fruit, and a subtle cedar warmth. Tannins remain polished through the close, leaving a clean, savory impression.

How to Drink Riscal Tempranillo

This wine drinks well at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, and benefits from 15–20 minutes of air after opening. A standard pour into a wide-bowled glass allows the spice and fruit aromatics to develop fully.

• Tempranillo Sangria: The cherry-plum fruit and structured tannins create a robust base that holds up to citrus, brandy, and fresh fruit without losing identity.
• Kalimotxo: A traditional Basque Country combination with cola — the wine's oak spice and dark fruit create an unexpectedly balanced, refreshing drink.
• Red Wine Spritzer: Mixed with sparkling water and a citrus twist, the wine's fruit-forward character and moderate tannins translate into a lighter warm-weather serve.

Best For

• Introducing someone to quality Rioja for the first time
• Weeknight dinners featuring grilled lamb or roasted vegetables
• Building a Spanish wine collection with a historic benchmark producer
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Old World tradition

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Riscal Tempranillo taste like? It delivers ripe cherry, blackberry, and damson plum alongside vanilla, cedar, and milk chocolate notes from American oak aging. The tannins are polished and the finish lingers with warm spice and dried red fruit.

How does Riscal Tempranillo compare to Muga Reserva? Both are well-regarded Rioja reds built around Tempranillo and aged in oak, but Muga Reserva tends to incorporate both American and French oak, resulting in a slightly more complex wood influence. Marqués de Riscal leans into a cleaner American oak signature with more pronounced vanilla and cedar character.

Is Riscal Tempranillo good for beginners? Yes — its approachable fruit profile, soft tannins, and balanced oak make it an accessible entry point into traditional Rioja without sacrificing depth or complexity.

Where is Riscal Tempranillo made? It is produced at the Marqués de Riscal bodega in Elciego, within the Rioja Alavesa sub-region of Rioja, Spain. Rioja Alavesa sits in the Basque Country at higher elevations, producing wines known for aromatic intensity and finesse.

What foods pair well with Riscal Tempranillo? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's spice and tannin structure. Manchego cheese mirrors its Spanish roots and matches the oak-derived nuttiness. Chorizo and cured Ibérico ham echo the savory, spice-driven finish. Roasted red pepper dishes highlight the fruit, and slow-braised short ribs match the wine's weight and depth.

What sizes does Riscal Tempranillo come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Riscal Tempranillo worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-tier Rioja from one of the denomination's oldest and most decorated producers, delivering oak-aged complexity and consistent critical scores that outperform many wines at the same price tier.

Why Riscal Tempranillo?

Marqués de Riscal is not merely historic — it is foundational. The bodega introduced barrel-aging to Rioja using Bordeaux techniques over 160 years ago, and this Tempranillo expression carries that lineage in every glass. With 92-point scores from both James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast, plus back-to-back Mundus Vini Gold medals, the wine consistently delivers beyond its weight class. For anyone seeking a reliable, oak-aged Rioja from a producer whose methods literally shaped the modern denomination, this is the benchmark starting point.