Montecillo Riojo Reserva

With more than 145 years of experience Montecillo is undoubtedly the first winery in Fuenmayor and the third oldest in La Rioja. The man behind it was Celestino Navajas Matute, who in 1870 set up the first facilities in this village in Rioja Alta, in the north of Spain, very close to the Ebro River and with a great winemaking history.This wine comes from parcels of bush-trained vines on poor, sandy textured soils in the Rioja Alta area. The vines are an average of more than 35 years old and the yields are no more than 5,500 kg/ha. The grapes are harvested with great care and transported to the winery in small containers. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28ºC, with prior bleeding off and long maceration of three weeks in contact with the skins. Ageing in French and American oak barrels (90%-10%) for 28 months, followed by at least four years cellaring in bottle.On the palate, it is subtle and pleasant, with great finesse upon entry and through the mid-palate. The tannins are extremely well polished and it has a serene acidity that maintains a long finish.