This collection is the perfect gift for winelovers, offering a unique experience, where the legacy of more than 150 years of the Riojan winery and the passion for viticulture come to life through the most exclusive wines.
Madrid, October 23rd – Bodegas Montecillo, the third oldest winery in the D.O.Ca Rioja, invites winelovers to enjoy true oenological gems this Christmas with its collection of historic vintages. With a legacy of more than 150 years of tradition, the Riojan winery presents a selection of exceptional vintages, those that offer wines with a marked aging potential and that this December will become the perfect gift for those who seek excellence in every glass of wine.
These are oenological jewels that are aged for a minimum of fifteen years before being marketed. Currently, Bodegas Montecillo has 10 historic vintages on sale: 1970, 1973, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1994, 2001, 2006 and 2007, the latter two being very special since, after having reached their optimum level, this is the first time they are being released for sale. All of them are available for purchase with a limited annual quota in order to ensure the conservation of this oenological heritage.
Among all these jewels, Gran Reserva Viña Monty 1975 stands out, an icon wine of the winery, as it led Rioja to achieve international fame, demonstrating the quality of the region in comparison with the highly acclaimed Bordeaux region. On September 17, 1983, in Amsterdam, a blind tasting of 40 Rioja and Bordeaux wines was held, and Gran Reserva Viña Monty 1975 was chosen as the great winner. This was one of the first vintages harvested by the Osborne family, resulting in a wine made from three varietals, 80% tempranillo, 15% graciano and 5% mazuelo, with an intense and elegant flavor, where notes of candied fruit are always present, highlighted by notes of toasted oak.
The 1981 vintage, marked by challenging weather, resulted in an exceptionally balanced vintage with lively acidity and outstanding cellaring potential. Montecillo Gran Reserva Selección Especial 1981 is a wine that has aged for more than 40 months in oak barrels and has rested for more than 12 years in bottle, resulting in a reference that surprises with its aromas of fresh leather, eucalyptus and sweet spices such as cinnamon and anise. In the mouth, it is voluminous and silky, with a long and vibrant finish that lingers on the palate, making it an excellent choice to accompany Christmas meals.
Bodegas Montecillo Gran Reserva Selección Especial 1994 comes from an extraordinary vintage, considered excellent by the D.O.Ca Rioja.This reference, made with three varietals, 85% tempranillo, 10% maturana and 5% graciano, is characterized by its powerful nose with aromas of truffle, tobacco and candied fruits. On the palate, the wine is unctuous, long and with a lively acidity that makes it very expressive. Each glass reveals layers of complexity, with a lingering aftertaste of candied fruit and smoky notes, making it a perfect choice for a very special holiday gift.
With the arrival of the new millennium, so did vintages of great quality, such as 2001.Bodegas Montecillo Gran Reserva Selección Especial 2001 is a wine made from two varietals: 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. The grapes for this exceptional wine are sourced from vineyards over 40 years old, which gives it an impressive tannic structure and an unusual freshness for its age. Aged for 36 months in American and French oak barrels and bottled 10 years before release, this wine displays aromas of noble woods, spices and black fruit on the nose. On the palate, it is powerful and balanced, with noble tannins and a long, expressive finish, ideal for uncorking at special moments.
Finally, the youngest of this collection, Bodegas Montecillo Gran Reserva Selección Especial 2007, comes from a vintage with a slow ripening cycle, which allowed us to obtain high quality grapes. This wine, the product of three grape varieties: 80% tempranillo, 10% garnacha and 5% graciano, has been aged for 40 months in French and American oak barrels and 12 years in bottle. The nose is seductive, with sweet aromas of vanilla, cocoa and candied fruit.On the palate, its sweet tannin and delicacy make it extremely pleasant on the palate, making it an ideal choice to share with loved ones at Christmas.
Bodegas Montecillo was founded in 1870 when Celestino Navajas decided to take the step from vineyard owner to winemaker by founding his own winery in the village of Fuenmayor, marking the beginning of a long winemaking tradition. With the passing of three different generations of the Navajas family, the winery became a pioneer in the Rioja region, standing out for its capacity for innovation and respect for quality. In 1973, having no direct descendants, José Luis, Celestino’s grandson, entrusted the legacy of his ancestors to another century-old Spanish winemaking family: the Osborne family. Since that time, Osborne has focused on enhancing the great virtues of the brand: quality, tradition and know-how, honoring the rich history of the winery and maintaining excellence in all its wines.
Each of these references of historic vintages of Bodegas Montecillo stands out not only for its quality, but also for the tradition and care behind its exceptional liquid, reflecting in its flavor the centenary legacy of the winery. They are the perfect gift for this Christmas or to surprise your guests with some of the most exclusive Rioja wines.
The collection of historic vintages from Bodegas Montecillo will be on sale through the Osborne website from November 15.
