Bodegas Faustino
Faustino V Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend
La Rioja, Spain
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.
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.
NOSE: Clearly Rioja. Waxy milk chocolate, baking spices, vanilla. Dried fig.
TASTE: thinner and brighter than expected, more and fresher fruit (pomegranate and cherries, maybe some blackberry), bitter chocolate, baking spices, leather. “Silky” — even glassy. Good. 90.
NOSE: Clearly Rioja. Waxy milk chocolate, baking spices, vanilla. Dried fig.
TASTE: thinner and brighter than expected, more and fresher fruit (pomegranate and cherries, maybe some blackberry), bitter chocolate, baking spices, leather. “Silky” — even glassy. Good. 90.
Dark fruits, cedar, vanilla, touch of grip.
Dark fruits, cedar, vanilla, touch of grip.
Oct 25th, 2025
Delicious! Presents with milk chocolate, tomato leaves, red raspberries, garrique, thyme, graham cracker crust, and pomegranate. Every time I pick up the glass, I discover something new!
Delicious! Presents with milk chocolate, tomato leaves, red raspberries, garrique, thyme, graham cracker crust, and pomegranate. Every time I pick up the glass, I discover something new!
Aug 11th, 2025
