Recommended by the New York Times, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, and Many More. Check out our recent press.

Award-winning SF wine shop – free local delivery & fast nationwide shipping. Learn more

Bodegas Campillo Rioja Reserva 1981

$11999
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles

This bottle is older than the winery whose name is on the label: Campillo's landmark château outside Laguardia wasn't inaugurated until 1990, so a 1981 Reserva belongs to the earlier chapter of the Martínez Zabala family's Rioja Alavesa project, when the wine existed well before the building did. It comes from a good Rioja vintage and has had well over forty years to resolve — which for traditionally made Rioja is less alarming than it sounds. Long maturation in American oak strips out the primary fruit early and replaces it with spice and sweet wood; the high natural acidity of Rioja Alavesa Tempranillo supplies the backbone; a cool bodega does the rest. Bottles like this were bought out of a private collection, not held back and released by the producer, so expect the fill level and cork to reflect their years. Stand it upright for at least a day, decant carefully off the sediment, and pour it early in the meal — a wine at this age gives you a beautiful hour rather than a whole evening.

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


Add your content here

More about Bodegas Campillo

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Red Blend , Tempranillo

  • Vintage

    1981

  • 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 with rosemary, mushrooms cooked in olive oil and garlic, or aged Manchego with quince paste. Keep it gentle — no chili, no heavy sauces.

Tasting Profile

Pale garnet with an amber rim. Dried red fruit, orange peel, cedar, tobacco and sweet oak spice. Light-bodied, tannins entirely resolved, acidity still fresh, with a delicate and savory finish that fades gracefully.