Castillo Clavijo

Gran Reserva RIoja Tempranillo Blend

8.941 ratings
8.82 pro ratings
La Rioja, Spain
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuela, Graciano
Top Notes For
Zachary Price

A Total Wine buy, inspired by my Rioja kick. Rioja is a wine region in Spain, situated on a plateau in Northern Spain that benefits from a continental climate buffeted by mountains. Generally, these wines are Tempranillo based blends. This wine is 70% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, respectively. This geezer needed a bit of breathing room and is showing it's age, but the price point is hard to beat! ~$20 | #totalwine #rioja #castilloclavijo

On the eyes: Opaque Rusty Red, with Light Stain and Light Tears. No Gas/Floc.

On the nose: Med- Alcohol, Brown Sugar and Spice yielding to Leather and Cherry after some time. Hints of Olive, Salt, and Oak round the nose out.

On the tongue: Med+ Acid, Med Tannin, Med Alcohol, Stewed Sour Cherry and Cedar with underlying Resinous Spiciness. Med Complexity with a Long Finish. Let open for an hour.

A Total Wine buy, inspired by my Rioja kick. Rioja is a wine region in Spain, situated on a plateau in Northern Spain that benefits from a continental climate buffeted by mountains. Generally, these wines are Tempranillo based blends. This wine is 70% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, respectively. This geezer needed a bit of breathing room and is showing it's age, but the price point is hard to beat! ~$20 | #totalwine #rioja #castilloclavijo

On the eyes: Opaque Rusty Red, with Light Stain and Light Tears. No Gas/Floc.

On the nose: Med- Alcohol, Brown Sugar and Spice yielding to Leather and Cherry after some time. Hints of Olive, Salt, and Oak round the nose out.

On the tongue: Med+ Acid, Med Tannin, Med Alcohol, Stewed Sour Cherry and Cedar with underlying Resinous Spiciness. Med Complexity with a Long Finish. Let open for an hour.

6 people found it helpfulAug 6th, 2015
Kyle Groombridge

The tertiary flavors have definitely come to the forefront in this one, but not in a bad way - cedar, leather, and stewed black cherry on the nose, like going to grandmas house when a cherry pie is in the oven. Supple sour cherry and a vibrant acidity that rounds with time. Sweet oak and a crushed floral note on the finish.. Quite nice for it's age and price.

The tertiary flavors have definitely come to the forefront in this one, but not in a bad way - cedar, leather, and stewed black cherry on the nose, like going to grandmas house when a cherry pie is in the oven. Supple sour cherry and a vibrant acidity that rounds with time. Sweet oak and a crushed floral note on the finish.. Quite nice for it's age and price.

2 people found it helpfulApr 24th, 2015
Joseph Cramer

Very strong tannins and earthy. Solid wine

Very strong tannins and earthy. Solid wine

Jul 13th, 2016
Paul Scott

Lighter notes. Could be paired with most anything.

Lighter notes. Could be paired with most anything.

May 13th, 2016
Michael Lanni

Nice oak finish

Nice oak finish

Sep 20th, 2015
Austin Blackwell

Nice caramel, spice, and dried cherry aromas match the palate. Almost a little tawny port-like due to the aging and the secondary flavor show the oak influence more with some cedar and a hint of tobacco. Delicious and a great value.

Nice caramel, spice, and dried cherry aromas match the palate. Almost a little tawny port-like due to the aging and the secondary flavor show the oak influence more with some cedar and a hint of tobacco. Delicious and a great value.

Sep 4th, 2015
Laura Reynolds

Delicious velvety rioja

Delicious velvety rioja

Sep 4th, 2015
Matthew Beninati

Good. The reasonable price def makes it more appealing. I dunno.... It seemed to bite my tongue more after I aerated for 2 hrs as opposed to right after opening. Weird.

Good. The reasonable price def makes it more appealing. I dunno.... It seemed to bite my tongue more after I aerated for 2 hrs as opposed to right after opening. Weird.

Aug 11th, 2015
Devin Bray

Great example of a Rioja for the price.

Great example of a Rioja for the price.

Jun 19th, 2015
David Smisek

$19.99. 05/28/15. Spain Rioja class. Hold for 24 to 38 months. Tobacco cherry. Smell interesting. Leather cedar.

$19.99. 05/28/15. Spain Rioja class. Hold for 24 to 38 months. Tobacco cherry. Smell interesting. Leather cedar.

Jun 6th, 2015