Faustino Rivero Ulecia Rioja Reserva 2017: A Must Buy Wine in Costco
Introduction
This classic red wine from Rioja, Spain, is crafted by the Faustino Rivero Ulecia winery, established in 1899. With over a century of winemaking history, the winery focuses on producing high-quality wines.
This Rioja Reserva is made from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes, aged for at least 12 months in American oak barrels and matured for over 3 years in total. The result is a wine that balances rich fruit flavors with the distinctive character of American oak, blending traditional and modern winemaking techniques. Notably, this wine received a 92-point rating from renowned wine critic James Suckling.
👃🏻 Palette and Nosing
- Aromas of ripe 🍒 black cherry, 🍓 red berries, and dark fruits
- Signature American oak notes of vanilla, coconut, and sweet spices
- Full-bodied and smooth on the palate, with fine, silky tannins and flavors of tobacco, vanilla, and a touch of caramel.
🥩 Food Pairing
- Perfect with grilled lamb chops 🍖 and charcoal-grilled beef
- bold-flavored hard cheeses 🧀
- Complements BBQ dishes and hearty stews
💸 Buying Recommendation
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Purchased at Australia Costco for just $13.49 AUD —an absolute steal! Exceptional value for money (Note: Comparable Reserva wines from Rioja typically cost between $20–$30 AUD).
Want to know more about Rioja’s wine classification system?
- Crianza: Aged for at least 2 years, with a minimum of 1 year in oak barrels.
- Reserva: Aged for at least 3 years, including 1 year in oak barrels and 2 years in the bottle. This wine belongs to the Reserva category and showcases the complexity and spice layers expected at this level.
- Gran Reserva: Aged for a minimum of 5 years, with 2 years in oak barrels and 3 years in the bottle.
Key Information
- Price: $13.49 AUD (Purchased at Costco)
- Region: Rioja, Spain 🇪🇸
- Vintage: 2017
- Alcohol: 14%
- Grape Varieties: Tempranillo, Garnach
- Oak Aging: 12 months in American oak barrels
- Accolades: James Suckling – 92 Points
