Viña Monty Graciano Reserva 2017

Bodegas Montecillo, established in 1870, is the third oldest winery in Rioja, with over 150 years of history. This Reserva is made from Graciano, a noble local grape long valued in Rioja for its colour, acidity and aromatic depth, here given the lead role rather than a supporting one. Graciano ripens late and thrives on the clay and limestone soils of Rioja, where warm days and cooler nights hold its naturally high acidity in balance with deep fruit. The wine is aged for twenty-eight months in oak barrels and a further eighteen months in bottle. The long time in cask allows slow oxygen exchange through the wood, softening the firm tannins and building savoury, spiced complexity, while the bottle ageing knits the wine together and brings forward tertiary notes of leather and tobacco. The colour is deep cherry red with a garnet edge. The nose is intense, with dark plum, black pepper and liquorice over leather, tobacco and oak spice. The palate is full bodied and savoury, the tannins firm but resolved, the acidity giving lift and length through a long finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanting ahead. A wine for rich meat and mature cheese.