Ville Pasula

9.0

Excellent with a completely outrageous chunk of bleeding super quality angus beef — 17 days ago

Dave

9.1

Really dark fruit and a splash of mint. To quote Led Zeppelin and the legendary @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego , you gotta whole lotta oak, you gotta whole lotta oak 🎶
Listening to Supersuckers — a month ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.4

Rare beef on the immediate nose.

94 points — a month ago

Nagib Nasr

9.1

Very nice wine but got overwhelmed with the Spanish food — 18 days ago

with Tripp

Lynn Graham

8.9

2019 was a good vintage, full body and berry notes — a month ago

Angela Sanks

9.2

cherry, soft tannins, kinda salty, hebacious like sage — a month ago

Jack Krawczyk

8.9

pleasant acidity with a ripe raspberry — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.4

vintage 2020 | Fellow tasters ‘complained’ about the smoothness of the wine. Vibrant, refined. Lovebaby of two famous houses. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Bodegas Faustino – Faustino V Reserva
Tempranillo-based Blend 2018
DOCa Rioja – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A standout vintage combining freshness, balance, and precision. The 2018 shows the most complete expression among the last two vintages (v16 & v17), harmonizing fruit, oak, and structure beautifully.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh red berries, cherry, subtle vanilla, cedar, and refined spice with a lifted aromatic profile.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, polished tannins, and a beautifully balanced, lingering finish. More energetic and refined than prior vintages.

Food Pairings
Versatile, grilled meats, tapas, roasted vegetables, or even casual pairings.

Verdict
The most complete and balanced of the last two; Fresh, elegant, and structured this is the sweet spot vintage.

Did You Know?
2018 in Rioja is widely regarded as a balanced vintage, offering both freshness and aging potential, often outperforming expectations at this price tier. (I have also reviewed v16 & v17).

🍷 Personal Pick
The winner of the lineup, precision, freshness, and balance all in one. A textbook example of why Rioja Reserva remains one of the best value categories in the world. — a month ago

Robert Ahlstrom

9.0

Ruby rust medium opacity, medium to light bodied with noticeable acidity, herbal hints over tart cherries, solid rioja crianza — 2 months ago