Obligatory Disclaimer: This bottle of the 2018 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva was provided to me for free, with the expectation that I’d write a review of the wine. Whether that influenced my review or not is up to you to decide.
Details on the 2018 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva #
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Vineyard: The grapes come from vineyards all over the region.
Region: Rioja, Spain
Grapes: Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo
Age at Review: 8 years
Notes: Campo Viejo is a well-known Spanish winery, especially for fans of the supermarket aisle in the USA. I do not mean that as a slight; I am a fan of the supermarket aisle, which is where I was first introduced to Spanish wines. Tempranillo has remained my favorite wine grape since back in those days, before I’d ever stepped foot in a vineyard. Being able to try a reserve rioja, primarily made from tempranillo grapes from Campo Viejo, is a real treat for me.
Thoughts on Tasting the 2018 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva #
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Most memorable flavors? On the nose, I get stone hearth, unripened plum, sweet peach, and acetone. It’s more stringent than I expect a tempranillo to be, with less spice. On tasting it, plum is indeed the prominent fruit, on the verge of ripeness with a few bites of whiter flesh. Ashes on the aftertaste. But a few minutes after opening, licorice appears and a deeper berry flavor develops.
That's a sign that decanting is needed! I went back in for another taste after an hour’s decanting, which an eight-year-old wine deserves. Rhubarb and bright, red cherry notes appeared, plus vanilla. The acetone note was gone. The fruit became much more dominant, and my initial feeling that the wine has a cool red profile deepened. It’s much improved from those first sips, though it was certainly drinkable before. Definitely decant before serving, for an hour or so. No more time is needed than that.
Image conjured up? This wine tastes elemental, like bright veins of mineral glowing within the earth, or a cauldron stirred over flame, conjuring a spell of protection. Imagine that cool stone hearth, with a bold hot flame contained within it.
What would I pair it with? A fruit salad would be wonderful, one with less acidity in the dressing, as the wine will lend some. Also consider a mildly spiced Mexican dish, like a barbacoa plate.
What did I pair it with? Sirens blaring on a nice summer day.
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Would I drink it again? Absolutely. I’m not sure I’d want one aged much more than this, so I would maybe look for newer vintages of the reserva in the future. I’m curious if a younger one would have more typical tempranillo notes as well, but this particular bottle, at this time, was illuminating to drink. What can I say, I’m a stone hearth sort of gal.
At this $16 price? $16 is a great price for this wine. I’d expect that price for the average rioja on the shelves. But for a reserva with this nice of a profile? It’s worth snatching up. Do give it that time to decant, however.
Reviewed 2 July 2026.
