Balance is key here (the wood can overpower) and Montecillo has achieved perfect harmony in their 2006. Red fruit abounds: raspberry and cherry; a touch of smoke; the oak is present but in no way intrusive; perhaps just a hint of caramel - lovely. The tannins are like velvet with a juicy sweet core and a lingering finish. I’ve paid much more for wine of this quality – is one bottle enough? Tasted April 2012.

91
March 2012

Probably the best Rioja I ever had.

A bit strong with aroma but otherwise a nice wine. Tasted Apr. 2012
Love it even more. Sep 2012

Very good and enjoyable wine.
Good price.
Yes, I would buy this wine again.
Medium bodied, and moderately complex flavors.
Good finish

A very pleasant, smooth Rioja. Good length and reasonable complexity. At this price I will be buying more of it. Thanks for the tip, Steve.

The 2007 Montecillo Reserva is a light to medium bodied, integrated wine, with intense aromas of sour cherry, creamy oak, coconut and vanilla. It has subtle to refined tannins (decant for 15 min), good acidity and a long and smooth finish. It is food friendly or can be sipped by itself; drink now - 2016. My impression: NICE to BEAUTIFUL, 89 pts - well priced when on sale; recommended buy. Tasted Jan/13.

The 2006 Montecillo Reserva from the general section is medium bodied, with nice aromas of integrated raspberry, coconut, oak and black pepper and vanilla spices. Tannins are refined (decant for 15 to 30 min) and the finish is long and smooth and silky. It is at its prime and should retain its complexity for another 5 years. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90 pts - a well crafted wine that I would highly recommend. Tasted Jan/11 and again Dec/11.

http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections

or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

(2007 vintage)

Bright red in the glass, Nice nose of sweet cherry. Low/moderate tannins. Good fruit concentration but with a slightly under-ripe green/leafy streak. I would not describe this as an honest Spanish wine. It's an easy drinking, commercially styled wine. Decent but pretty soft and simple for the price.

I have a 2006 that's been sitting around for a while. Curious to see if it's much better than this newer vintage as these reviews seem to indicate, and if the difference is due to vintage variation or a deliberate shift to a more commercial style.

Very nice but coming due - great acidity. Nice with roasted meat and surprisingly with pizza as well (all meat of course) :-)