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Rojo

Albelda de Iregua

Red · Reserve · Medium-sweet

Vermut San Bernabé Gran Reserva Especial Rojo

Licorera Albeldense

Albelda de Iregua , España

7.4 /10

Vermutpedia Score: 7.4/10

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Overall impression

Vermut San Bernabé Gran Reserva Especial Rojo is the premium reference from Destilerías Licorera Albeldense (Albelda de Iregua, La Rioja), launched in 2016 according to consolidated brand documentation. According to vermutsanbernabe.com, it is made from Rioja red wines of Tempranillo and Garnacha varieties — a break from the house's classic white-based profile — with three years' ageing in 40 hl oak tinos and maceration with 49 botanics, including natives from Cameros and Urbión. For Vermutpedia, it is the ageing Riojan vermouth: fleshy, structured and designed for gastronomy, sibling to taberna Rojo Clásico but on premium scale. It does not compete with light draft vermouths; it occupies the gran reserva niche with prolonged barrel and red-wine base. 17% vol., 75 cl. Three-star medal at iTQi (Brussels). A verifiable piece on Vermut San Bernabé's official shop.

Nose and palate

The official sheet describes ruby red with tile rim. On the nose, aromas of fruit in liqueur, wild mountain herbs, very spiced, complex profile with elegant citrus notes. On the palate, tasty, fleshy, structured, long and persistent, very balanced between sweet, acid and a fine, elegant bitterness inviting continued tasting. The 49 botanics include wormwood, gentian, citrus bark, chamomile, clove, cinnamon and others from Riojan mountain. Tempranillo-Garnacha base brings body and liqueur fruit that taberna Rojo Clásico — on whites — does not reach; three years in oak tinos integrate spice and wood with sobriety. Compared with taberna Clásico (15% vol., more direct profile), Gran Reserva Especial is denser, gastronomic and more persistent. For anyone seeking premium Riojan vermouth on reds, the ruby-tile-fleshy profile offers a tasting coherent with vermutsanbernabe.com.

How to serve it

The house recommends as aperitif alone, very cold or with one or two ice cubes, accompanied by orange or lemon peel. Also throughout the meal with savoury dishes and at dessert with sweets. In cocktails: Negroni, Americano or Milano-Torino when a red with more body and persistence is wanted. Official pairing: vinaigrettes, dressed olives, pickles, mussels, clams, smoked fish, sea products and fish (tuna, cod, salmon, anchovies). At cold temperature sweet-acid-bitter balance expresses with greater clarity; moderate ice opens citrus without diluting structure. For Vermutpedia, Gran Reserva Especial is drunk cold, alone or in kitchen and author cocktails, as premium Riojan vermouth for gastronomic table, distinct from bar Rojo Clásico verifiable on the official website.

Production context

Destilerías Licorera Albeldense (since 1963) elaborates in Albelda de Iregua. Gran Reserva Especial Rojo: Tempranillo and Garnacha Rioja base; 3 years in 40 hl oak tinos; 6 months maceration with 49 botanics (wormwood, gentian, citrus, chamomile, clove, cinnamon, santolina, rosemary, sloe, juniper, etc.). 17% vol., 75 cl. Launch 2016. Range with Rojo Clásico, Gran Reserva white and gin references. Three-star iTQi medal (Brussels). For Vermutpedia, Gran Reserva synthesises premium Riojan red vermouth: red-wine base, 36 months barrel, 49 botanics, semisweet, gastronomic. Essential piece of La Rioja vermouth map verifiable at vermutsanbernabe.com.

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