Viniou Reviews
Montecillo Gran Reserva 2015 embodies the classic elegance of Rioja reds. Crafted predominantly from Tempranillo, often blended with Graciano and sometimes Mazuelo, this Gran Reserva represents the pinnacle of ageing in the bodega’s tradition. The 2015 vintage, a notably harmonious year in Rioja, delivers complexity and length. After careful fermentation, this wine undergoes extensive ageing—traditionally a minimum of two years in oak, often American, and three years in bottle—resulting in a supple, mature character. Expect a bouquet brimming with dried cherries, black plums, tobacco leaf, leather, vanilla, and a subtle hint of spice, signals of both the grape blend and the time spent in wood.
La Rioja is one of Spain's most important wine regions, celebrated for its long viticultural history stretching back to Roman times. The region enjoys a continental climate tempered by Atlantic influences, leading to warm summers, cool nights, and moderate rainfall which foster slow, even grape ripening. Soils vary across the appellation: from iron-rich clays to limestone and alluvial gravel, imparting structure and finesse to the wine. Montecillo sources from some of the region’s finest plots, in both Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, known for their high-altitude vines and elegant expressions.
Such a matured Rioja pairs beautifully with roasted lamb shoulder, slow-cooked beef cheeks, or Iberico pork in a rich, herbed sauce. The wine’s savoury, leathery complexity harmonises with hard sheep’s cheeses like Manchego, or richer regional fare such as Riojan-style potatoes (patatas a la riojana) with chorizo.
For optimal appreciation, serve Montecillo Gran Reserva 2015 at 17-18°C, ideally after allowing it to breathe in a decanter for one hour. This temperature unveils the full spectrum of tertiary aromas while maintaining freshness on the palate. Enjoy now, or cellar for up to a decade to see even greater evolution.
