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. — 4 months ago

Gene Buonviri

9.2

Dark red, subtle intensity with dark ripe plum, cocoa and coffee. Enjoyed every drop of this wine. Paired well with tapas.
Happy. — 6 years ago

with Justinian

Abbey Jacobson

9.0

Loved it! Very enjoyable with Spanish tapas. — 6 years ago

Chris McClellan

9.2

Dried red fruit, tobacco, dill/vanilla...coming together nicely...excellent with spanish tapas — 7 years ago

Kelly Ni

9.1

Dry but pleasant. Had with Greek tapas in DC with Sarah and Mao. — 7 years ago

Ed Ivora

9.1

This Garnacha was sophisticated/fruit forward and paired heavenly with our tapas🍷. I will purchase several cases of this delicious vino🇪🇸 — 9 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.1

Lovely. Dried herbs. Tart balance. Terrific with tapas. Cherrries. — 9 years ago

with William

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Castillo Clavijo – Rioja Blanco – 2024
Rioja DOCa | Spain 🇪🇸

Overview:
A very casual, approachable white from Rioja DOCa, a region better known for reds, this bottle delivers exactly what it promises: simplicity, freshness, and value. Viura-driven, made in a clean, straightforward style that favors easy drinking over complexity.

Aromas & Flavors:
Fresh and subtle with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and soft white florals. There’s a gentle herbal edge typical of Viura, but nothing overt or demanding, clean and unfussy.

Mouthfeel:
Light- to medium-bodied with refreshing acidity. Smooth, easygoing, and crisp, finishing clean without weight or oak influence.

Food Pairings:
Grilled fish, light salads, seafood tapas, simple chicken dishes, or anything olive-oil driven. A reliable companion at the table without stealing the spotlight.

Verdict:
A “does-the-job” Rioja white that makes sense on the value side. Not meant to rival more serious white Rioja expressions, but a pleasant, practical option from a red-dominant region, especially when you want something uncomplicated and food-friendly.

Did You Know?
Viura (also known as Macabeo) is Rioja’s primary white grape, capable of both simple, fresh wines like this and age-worthy, complex whites when blended or oak-aged.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is the kind of easy, reliable white you reach for when you want something light, affordable, and regionally honest, proof that Rioja can still deliver on the white side, even if reds remain its calling card. — 7 months ago

Sam Lee

9.0

Good on aperitif or apps dishes with heart 🤵🏼 so tonight is our fried finger food night tapas dips and cheese platter which pairing good and harmonically
🧀🌮➕🍟 — 6 years ago

Jeff Murray

9.0

Enjoyable Tempranillo and cab blend. Great with basque tapas. Opened up well over and hour but could have used a decant. More subtle fruit medium to full bodied and a little earthy — 7 years ago

Nicky Sampogna

9.0

Spanish vino y tapas — 7 years ago

Francisco Perez

8.9

Very good everyday Ribera del Duero Tempranillo. Deep red and full bodied. Fruit forward with berries. Great with Spanish tapas on Valentine day at home. — 8 years ago

Mick Farrell

9.0

Viva Espana! In Panama! 🇵🇦 tapas bar! — 9 years ago

with Marty, David and 6 others

Devin B

9.1

I love this grape. So “fresh” for lack of a better word. A little bracing, and amazing with tapas. — 2 years ago

Mats Lind

9.0

Beautiful wine for homemade tapas. Great value for the buck. — 5 years ago

Brian Armenio

9.3

Had this amazing bottle with my GM our in Vegas while dining at Jaleo with Jose Andres.

Mature and elegant and perfect for tapas of all sorts. — 6 years ago

Dolores Padron

9.2

Excellent wine to pair with tapas! — 7 years ago

Aylin Ulku

9.0

Had with tapas at a tapas bar. Delicious, earthy with some fruit. A longer finish, benefits from some opening. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, plums, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth and black tea.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, cherries, strawberries, currants, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, wood, earth, chocolates, coffee, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and spices.

This is a great Monastrell from Jumilla, Spain. Always enjoyable by itself or with food. Fruity and spicy with a touch of earth notes.

Well balanced with mild complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Very fruity right out of the bottle, and gets earthier as it opens up.

I paired it with Spanish tapas. Has high alcohol so watch out... 😃

Aged in French oak barrels.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$13. — 8 years ago

Velma Cooper

9.3

Velma had this 9 years ago