Its origin lies in the heart of Rioja, with a clear link to Rioja Alavesa and the influence of altitude and coolness.
- Location / Origin: This wine falls under D.O.Ca. Rioja, one of Spain's highest origin categories. Bodegas Campillo itself is located in Laguardia, at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria, in Rioja Alavesa.
- Altitude: Within the Campillo estate, the most important vineyards are located on the southern slopes of the Cantabrian mountains, at an altitude of 650–720 m. This gives the grapes a cooler growing season than seen in many warmer parts of Spain.
- Climate & Influences: In these plots, temperatures are 3–4 °C lower than the D.O.Ca. Rioja average, and there is more wind, with clear differences between day and night temperatures. This helps to build freshness, structure, and aging potential in the wine.
- Soil: Rioja Alavesa is characterized here by clay-limestone and clay-iron soils. Such soils are well-suited to Tempranillo, providing grip, tension, and a firm backbone.
- Vineyard: Campillo works with 150 hectares of its own vineyards and vines aged 30–70 years. The plots are located within a 10 km radius of the winery, allowing for quick processing of the fruit.
The cellar approach here mainly revolves around time, barrel aging, and building complexity.
- Aging / Oak aging: The wine ages for at least 22 months in French and American oak barrels. This gives the wine more spiciness, toast, cocoa, and extra roundness in the tannins, without the structure losing its elegance.
- Alcohol percentage: With 14% alcohol, this Reserva has sufficient power for its oak aging and broad, gastronomic style.
This Reserva is entirely built on 1 grape, precisely what gives it its classic Rioja signature.
- Tempranillo – Rioja: Tempranillo forms the complete base and gives the wine its combination of ripe red and dark fruit, structure, acidity, and long aging potential.
