# Finca Montote Reserva (2015)

- **Producer:** Finca Montote
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo
- **Region:** Rioja, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackberry, strawberry, redcurrant, violet, bell pepper, orange, lavender, vanilla, cedar, cloves, toast, leather, forest floor, mushroom

## About this wine

Finca Montote is a historic estate managed by the fourth generation of the Rubio family, located in the Rioja Oriental sub-region within the municipality of Aldeanueva de Ebro. The estate features a prominent historic building designed in classic French architectural style and boasts one of the largest physical barrel cellars in the entire Rioja region, housing more than 6,000 French and American oak barrels. While surrounded by some of Rioja's oldest old-vine Garnacha plantings, this Reserva beautifully champions their estate-grown Tempranillo.

## Interesting facts

- Finca Montote houses one of the largest physical barrel cellars in Rioja, with over 6,000 French and American oak barrels.
- The estate features a prominent historic winery building designed in a classic French architectural style.
- The 2015 vintage of this Reserva received a highly commendable 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast.

## Food pairing

This Rioja Reserva pairs beautifully with rich, savory dishes due to its medium-plus acidity and structured tannins. The oak-derived vanilla and cedar notes complement roasted and grilled meats, while the wine's dark fruit profile cuts through the fat of lamb, duck, and aged cheeses.

## Wine making process

The 100% Tempranillo grapes are strictly hand-harvested from estate vineyards characterized by calcareous clay soils mixed with stones. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with regular pumping over of the cap to extract flavor and stable color compounds. In accordance with Rioja DOCa Reserva regulations, the wine is aged for 12 months in American oak barrels (225–230 liters), utilizing a combination of new and used wood, followed by further aging in stainless steel and bottle before release.