Gran Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja DOCa 2004 750ml

A collection of gran reserva wines, from exceptional vintages chosen by the family and our wine experts under the strictest quality standards. Only a few harvests are chosen to become Gran Faustino I wines.
It’s a classic “coupage” of the Rioja Gran Reservas: Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo.


Gran Faustino I Gran Reserva 2004 has been aged for at least 38 months in American oak (80%) and French oak (20%) barrels, with five rackings during this time. They are barrels in the first, second and third year of use, combining the passage through them to find the balance needed... ‘by listening to the wine’.


During the ageing process, personal tastings by the family and the winemaking team, using all their skill and experience, have been crucial to finding the perfect balance between the barrels.



Gran Faustino I Gran Reserva 2004 is the start of a project in which the vineyard itself and passion, know-how and continuous improvement, history and the present of Bodegas Faustino fuse together so perfectly.

Intense, bright cherry red color. Aromatic and complex, with notes of tobacco, cedar and leather against a background of ripe fruit, jam and spices. On the palate, powerful yet velvety, with flavors of rich red fruit, licorice and minerals and smooth, ripe tannins.
Pair with roasted lamb, duck, pork and beef. Also great with ham croquettes, hard cheeses and sauteed vegetables.
Wine Enthusiast 91 Points:
Reedy red-fruit aromas feature a note of green. This is tannic in feel, with a mix of red-leaning raspberry, currant and strawberry flavors. Tea, herb and other grassy notes make for a dry finish. Overall this is excellent, although it does have an herbal character. Drink through 2028.
Wine Spectator 90 Points:
One of the most recognizable bottles of Rioja is the 2004 Faustino I Gran Reserva, mostly Tempranillo with 9% Graciano 9% and 5% Mazuelo (Cariñena), aged for 26 months in oak barrels. The nose is as classical as it gets, with tertiary aromas of bonfire, paprika, cured meat, leather and spices, highly recognizable as Rioja, clean and balanced, a big improvement over the 2001 I tasted last time. The palate is medium-bodied and polished with a fine texture, good acidity and persistence. This is subtle, with well-integrated oak. It is a textbook Rioja Gran Reserva. Half a million bottles of this wine are produced, and I'm sure there is more than one lot, but it's remarkable that they can make that quantity of a Gran Reserva.

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