Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2014: best 2020 to 2034.
vintage6 yrs20 yrs22 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2021 | 2014 | 90/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice
Palate: red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury
One of the oldest houses' classical Gran Reserva: long-aged, savoury and elegant, a traditional Rioja with a strong track record.
What it pairs with
-
Cordero asado al sarmiento
Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat. -
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A thick aged-beef chop over embers meets the wine's savoury oak and grip. -
Jamon iberico
Cured Iberian ham echoes the wine's dried-cherry and leather register.
How to serve Montecillo Gran Reserva
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cordero asado al sarmiento, Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Jamon iberico. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Montecillo, founded in 1874, makes a classical long-aged Gran Reserva.
- 1874: Bodegas Montecillo founded
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Montecillo · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 24 months in oak, then long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 16 to 28 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1874
Frequently asked about Montecillo Gran Reserva
What does Montecillo Gran Reserva taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice. On the palate, red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. One of the oldest houses' classical Gran Reserva: long-aged, savoury and elegant, a traditional Rioja with a strong track record.
When should I drink Montecillo Gran Reserva?
Drink 6 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Montecillo Gran Reserva?
Cordero asado al sarmiento is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey a la brasa and Jamon iberico. Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat.
Is Montecillo Gran Reserva vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Montecillo Gran Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (90%), Graciano (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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