Montecillo 1996 Reserva (Rioja)

Country: Spain / Reserva
Variety: Tempranillo Northern Spain
Winery: Montecillo / Rioja

Tasty tart fruit, leather and tobacco flavors in this taut, medium-weight wine are supported by quite racy acidity, rendering it somewhat astringent. The oak here, too, seems to bear heavily on rather light fruit. With tannins to lose, this may improve with age, filling out some, but will always be lean. Drink now–2006. —M.M.