Wine: Montecillo Selección Especial 1994 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Montecillo (Fuenmayor, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 13% vol.
Winery: Bodegas Montecillo (Fuenmayor, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 13% vol.
Winemaking:
Manual harvest during the second week of October. Second selection of clusters on a sorting table upon arrival at the winery. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 20°C for 32 days. Transferred to new 225-liter French oak barrels crafted by the winery's own cooperage. It remained in contact with the wood for 43 months until bottling in mid-1999. Subjected to various periodic manual rackings. Aged for a minimum of 36 months in the winery’s bottle racks before release.
Manual harvest during the second week of October. Second selection of clusters on a sorting table upon arrival at the winery. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 20°C for 32 days. Transferred to new 225-liter French oak barrels crafted by the winery's own cooperage. It remained in contact with the wood for 43 months until bottling in mid-1999. Subjected to various periodic manual rackings. Aged for a minimum of 36 months in the winery’s bottle racks before release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Reddish-ruby color with medium depth; clean and brilliant. No trace of
sediment. Radiant with coppery reflections. Broad orange rim, sharply
defined against the meniscus.
Nose:
A lot of wine here! Terribly attractive and a summary of everything one
should demand from a bottle-aged Rioja. It maintains intensity and
definition, full of ripe fruits and a very fine, high-quality
liqueur-like hint. This discretely gives way to a background of scented
cedar, spices, some incense, and withered petals. It preserves the
varietal character of the Tempranillo—seductive, elegant, and
complex—creating space for notes of aromatic coffee, licorice,
balsamics, toasted cocoa, and damp earth. Very solid and consistent.
Palate:
Silky and fresh with moderate weight; polished and smooth, yet full of
flavor and an unusual fruity breadth. It overflows with juiciness and
refinement—balanced, round, brilliant, and incredibly easy to drink.
Commentary:
This Montecillo is a worthy heir to the winery’s finest legendary releases. It still has several years of prime consumption ahead. An excellent representation of the 1994 vintage’s potential when handled with such precision.
This Montecillo is a worthy heir to the winery’s finest legendary releases. It still has several years of prime consumption ahead. An excellent representation of the 1994 vintage’s potential when handled with such precision.
Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Average: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90
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