In celebration of its 150th anniversary, Bodegas Montecillo has revived its legendary Viña Monty brand with the launch of the final remaining bottles of the mythical 1975 Gran Reserva and a collection of three new wines.
With a history that goes back as far as 1870, Montecillo has chosen to renew its iconic Viña Monty brand to celebrate its 150th Anniversary. The winery is launching three new Reserva wines under this label – now the winery’s most premium brand – along with the last remaining bottles of the award-winning 1975 vintage of Viña Monty Gran Reserva. The latter have remained intact for almost 40 years in underground bottle cellars where they were piled by hand.
It was this Gran Reserva in particular that won international acclaim and widespread recognition for coming first in a blind tasting that took place in Amsterdam in 1983, where it competed against 40 wines from Rioja and Bordeaux, including prestigious houses such as Château Leoville Las Cases and Château La Tour du Pin Figeac. There are just 120 bottles available.
We are now presenting a family of three Viña Monty Reserva wines that have come to light after more than eight years’ investigations into vineyards. Our oenologist, Mercedes García has selected six exceptional parcels, that were vinified and studied separately, with the intent of remaining loyal to the style and philosophy of winemaking of the founder’s grandson, José Luis Navajas.
Merche’s selection for these wines consists of: two parcels of Graciano, one located in Cenicero, Rioja Alta and another in Rioja Oriental, two parcels of Garnacha, one in Huércanos and another in Arenzana; one parcel of 85 year-old old vine Viura from Sotés, and finally one parcel in Rioja Alta of young Tempranillo Blanco vines.
The winery’s top range of wines has been re-launched with a label design and bottle that replicate the first Viña Monty wines. Its identity takes us back to the very foundations of the winery, with the distinctive mint green colour associated with the brand, winery and the Navajas family playing a leading role. This family of wines will help us to consolidate Bodegas Montecillo’s position as an expert producer of top Rioja wines, generating brand recognition. Therefore, its main role will be to add prestige, build brand identity and above all, drive sales in the premium on-trade.
Viña Monty has received praise from the world’s leading critics: 90, 91 and 92 points in Tim Atkin MW’s latest 2020 Rioja report for the Viura, Garnacha and Graciano respectively; 92 points from James Suckling for the three wines ; 92, 92 and 91 points respectively for the Viura, Garnacha and Gracianoin El Anuario de Vinos El País 2020, three Gold medals in Mundus Vini and two Silver medals for the Graciano and Garnacha in the 2020 Bacchus International Competition.
During the first year, the following wines will be released:
· 1,240 cases of Viña Monty Graciano Reserva 2015, 100% Graciano with 30 months’ ageing in French oak barrels and a minimum of 16 months in the bottle.
· 1,266 cases of Viña Monty Garnacha Reserva 2015, 100% Garnacha aged for 26 months in mixed (French and American oak) barrels and 100% new French oak barrels, with at least 20 months in bottle.
· Just 340 cases of the white complete the trio, Viña Monty Viura-Tempranillo Blanco Reserva 2016, 90% Viura and 10% Tempranillo Blanco, with 16 months’ ageing in new French oak barrels and at least 14 months in bottle.
