Bodegas Montecillo

Viña Monty Graciano Reserva

Spain, Rioja

2019

Hailing from one of the oldest wineries in Rioja, Bodegas Montecillo Viña Monty Graciano Reserva 2019 is crafted from 100% graciano, which is usually one of the region's supporting grapes. Given a starring role here, it's a wine packed with plush black fruit and floral flavours crying out for red meat.

Founded in 1870 by Celestino Navajas, Montecillo is one of Rioja's oldest producers, known for classical, long‑aged wines crafted with tempranillo from Rioja Alta's higher‑altitude vineyards. Viña Monty Graciano Reserva showcases the estate's mastery of graciano. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel with temperature control to safeguard aromatics and acidity. Extended maceration builds structure while careful pump‑over regimes avoid excessive extraction.

Ageing occurs in a mix of French and American oak for 24-30 months, followed by significant bottle age before release. Montecillo prioritises elegance over power, resulting in wines with lifted aromatics, firm acidity, and finely etched tannins. Their classical approach – long ageing, restrained oak, and judicious racking – has earned them a reputation for producing some of Rioja's most reliable, cellar‑worthy traditional wines.

Tasting
NOTES

Offering a hedonistic medley of sweet red and black fruit, floral and herbal notes, on the nose are aromas of black cherry, cassis and strawberry jam that mingle with fresh violets, dried iris, rosemary, thyme and hints of mushroom. It's a classic, full-bodied graciano with flavours of forest floor, liquorice, clove and vanilla coming from the oak. A powerful wine with plenty of heft, the ripe tannins are balanced by vibrant acidity and elegant fruit.

Food
PAIRINGS

With its ripe black fruit flavours, try this brooding graciano with roasted pheasant in a red wine jus, braised pork rice, a chargrilled T-bone steak, or chorizo risotto.