COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2016
GRAPE
Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo
PRODUCER
Bodegas Faustino (Familia Martínez Zabala)
REGION
Rioja
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
Tannins
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Faustino I Gran Reserva is the flagship wine of Bodegas Faustino, a family-owned winery with a history dating back to the 1860s. Located in Rioja Alavesa, the wine is crafted from Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo grapes grown on the producer's own vineyards. The wine is notable for its extended aging period, exceeding standard Gran Reserva requirements, and its status as the world's best-selling Rioja Gran Reserva, with its distinctive label featuring a portrait of Faustino Martínez Zabala.
ALCOHOL
14.0%
AVG. PRICE
€23
STYLE
Classic
VEGAN
NO
SULPHITES
YES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
17-18°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
The iconic 'face' on Faustino labels is a portrait of Faustino Martínez Zabala.
Fact 02
Faustino I is the world's best-selling Rioja Gran Reserva.
Fact 03
The winery holds a permanent stock of 9 million bottles of Reserva and Gran Reserva wines.
Fact 04
30% of all Gran Reserva DOCa Rioja bottles sold worldwide are Faustino I.
FOOD PAIRING
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WINE MAKING PROCESS
The winemaking process for Faustino I Gran Reserva begins with careful selection and manual sorting of grapes from the producer's vineyards in Rioja Alavesa. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations occur in temperature-controlled tanks, employing pump-overs for extraction. The wine then undergoes an extensive aging process, with a minimum of 26 months in French and American oak barrels, followed by at least three years of bottle aging. The wine is typically released after a total of nine years of aging at the winery, ensuring a mature and integrated profile.
