Bodegas Franco-Españolas

Royal Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo

9.18 ratings
9.31 pro ratings
La Rioja, Spain
Tempranillo
Lamb, Tomato-Based, Polenta, Hard Cheese, Pork, Beef, Pasta, Mushrooms, Soft Cheese, Chicken, Venison, Exotic Spices, Potato, Turkey, Beans & Peas, Herbs, Baking Spices, Pungent Cheese, Duck, Salami & Prosciutto, White Rice, Chili & Hot Spicy, Lasagna, Pizza, Barbecue, Mexican Cuisine, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Tom Casagrande

I am not a fan of the “new school” relatively-extracted, French-oak aged Rioja. This is not that. This is old fashioned, old-school. And perfectly resolved. Nose has sweet spices, lovely vanilla-tinged American oak, ripe berry. Balanced and soft and enveloping in the mouth. I’m surprised how much I like this (because of my predilection to be skeptical of Rioja, nothing else).

I am not a fan of the “new school” relatively-extracted, French-oak aged Rioja. This is not that. This is old fashioned, old-school. And perfectly resolved. Nose has sweet spices, lovely vanilla-tinged American oak, ripe berry. Balanced and soft and enveloping in the mouth. I’m surprised how much I like this (because of my predilection to be skeptical of Rioja, nothing else).

Dec 30th, 2023
Jon Bergqvist

Perfectly mature and not getting any better. On the lighter side and lacking some complexity but beautifully elegant with the same pronouced acidity as all other 50s to 70s great riojas I’ve tried.

Perfectly mature and not getting any better. On the lighter side and lacking some complexity but beautifully elegant with the same pronouced acidity as all other 50s to 70s great riojas I’ve tried.

Sep 11th, 2019
Jeroen Koenen

Slightly more rustic and rusty than my previous bottle, but I still am impressed by its crunchy cranberry/cherry fruit profile. Certainly considering age and pedigree.

Slightly more rustic and rusty than my previous bottle, but I still am impressed by its crunchy cranberry/cherry fruit profile. Certainly considering age and pedigree.

Sep 24th, 2015
Jeroen Koenen

Bright rubyred, orange hue. Cinnamon, citrus, sandalwood, cranberries, dried flowers, very complex, juicy, mouthwayering acidity. Alive and kicking! (1970 Gran Reserva)

Bright rubyred, orange hue. Cinnamon, citrus, sandalwood, cranberries, dried flowers, very complex, juicy, mouthwayering acidity. Alive and kicking! (1970 Gran Reserva)

Dec 23rd, 2013
Ariel Rojas

Ariel had this 4 years ago

Ariel had this 4 years ago

Jun 19th, 2021
Ariel Rojas

Ariel had this 4 years ago

Ariel had this 4 years ago

Dec 6th, 2020
Jeroen Koenen

Jeroen had this 8 years ago

Jeroen had this 8 years ago

Feb 11th, 2017
Shane Lopez

Shane had this 9 years ago

Shane had this 9 years ago

Apr 11th, 2016