Montecillo Reserva 2020

Montecillo, established in 1870 in Fuenmayor, is the third oldest winery in La Rioja and a Rioja Alta classic, its outlook shaped early on when the founder's son trained in Bordeaux. This Reserva is built on Tempranillo with Mazuelo, the Rioja name for Carignan, which adds colour, acidity and grip. Rioja Alta sits at the cooler, higher end of the region near the Ebro, and its clay and limestone soils with a longer, gentler ripening season give wines with structure and freshness for long ageing. The wine spends twenty four months in French and American oak barrels followed by thirty six months in bottle. The oak phase allows slow oxidation that builds the leather, tobacco and spice of traditional Rioja and softens the tannins, while American oak in particular contributes vanilla and coconut tones, and the long bottle ageing integrates everything into a savoury whole. It pours garnet with bricking at the rim. The nose shows fresh plum, black cherry, vanilla, clove, leather and tobacco. The palate is medium bodied, supple and savoury, with fine tannins and a long, dried fruit finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees with roast lamb or grilled meats.