Bodegas Montecillo Crianza - The First of a Tempting Trio of Tempranillo

How much difference does a little age make?

Bodegas Montecillo 2007 Crianza, 2006 Reserva and 2003 Gran Reserva. All 100% Tempranillo from Spain.

Samples received courtesy Folsom PR for review purposes.

Over the next few days I will be reviewing these three wines, just in time for International Tempranillo Day on September 1st! First up is the Crianza but before we jump into that review, let's take a look at the official Rioja distinctions for these types of wines:

• Young wines: Wines in their first or second year, which keep their primary freshness and fruitiness.
• Crianza wines: Wines which are at least in their third year, having spent a minimum of one year in casks and a few months in the bottle. For white wines, the minimum cask ageing period is 6 months.
• Reserva wines: Selected wines of the best vintages with an excellent potential that have been aged for a minimum of 3 years, with at least one year in casks. For white wines, the minimum ageing period is 2 years, with at least 6 months in casks.
• Gran Reserva wines: Selected wines from exceptional vintages which have spent at least 2 years in oak casks and 3 years in the bottle. For white wines, the minimum ageing period is 4 years, with at least one year in casks.

Let's start with the 2007 Bodegas Montecillo Crianza which has an SRP of $12, but is widely available for as low as $8-$9.

From the bottle:

"Founded in 1874, Bodegas Montecillo selects the finest Tempranillo grapes for this Crianza. Aged more than one year in handcrafted oak barrels and one year in bottle, this wine has intense fruit aromas and garnet red color. Food friendly, enjoy it with meat dishes or mild cheeses. Serve at 64°F.

13.5% Alcohol"

The 2007 Bodegas Montecillo Crianza exhibits aromas of plum, spice, ripe fruit, and dried herbs. (Sage and cinnamon, perhaps?). The wine tastes of black cherry and plum with a bit of earthiness and a little tobacco. This one ends with a spicy, sour cherry finish. Overall a nice, smooth wine that gets a Buy rating.

Stay tuned the rest of the week for the reviews on the Reserva and the Gran Reserva and an answer to the question we asked above, just how much difference does a little age make?

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.