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Berberana Rioja Gran Reserva 1970

$24999
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles

A Rioja Gran Reserva with more than half a century in the bottle, bought out of a private collection rather than released late by the bodega. Berberana was founded in 1877 by the Martínez Berberana family in the village of Ollauri, just outside Haro, where the old hand-dug cellars are still used for maturing wine — the kind of cool, damp, constant environment that lets traditional Rioja hold on for decades. The house style in this era was the classic one: a Tempranillo-led blend filled out with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, given years in American oak before years more in bottle, which is exactly the recipe that makes these wines age the way they do. High-acid Tempranillo plus long, oxidative barrel time produces a wine that trades fruit for savory complexity instead of simply fading. Stand the bottle upright for a day or two, then decant gently off the sediment and drink it over the course of a meal rather than saving it for later in the evening. Fill level and cork condition vary with bottles of this age, as they should.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

View our complete return policy →

Have Questions?

Our team is here to help.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405


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More about Berberana

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Red Blend , Tempranillo

  • Vintage

    1970

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

  • Style

    Earthy

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roast lamb shoulder with garlic, jamón ibérico and aged Manchego, or a simple plate of grilled lamb chops over coals. Keep the cooking straightforward — nothing sauced or spicy should compete with a wine this delicate.

Tasting Profile

Brick-edged and translucent, with dried cherry, orange peel, tobacco leaf, leather and a sweet coconut-vanilla note from decades in American oak. The body is light, the tannins are fully resolved, and the acidity still carries it. The finish is savory and lingering rather than fruity.