Castillo Montanez
Reserva Cariñena Tempranillo
Cariñena, Aragón, Spain
Castillo Montánez – Reserva Tempranillo 2017
Cariñena DOP, Aragón – Spain 🇪🇸
Overview
A regional Spanish Reserva made from 100% Tempranillo, aging for three years in oak (typically a mix of American and French), offering a serious expression of Cariñena’s terroir with both herbal charm and traditional Rioja-like depth  .
Aromas & Flavors
Deep blackberry and cherry lead, followed by rich vanilla, baking spices, and subtle tobacco. There’s a creamy texture giving it warmth, with a firm oak presence that supports the fruit rather than overshadowing it .
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with smooth tannins, a lush, velvety texture, and a balanced structure. The long finish recedes on fruit and spice, leaving a pleasant, lingering warmth.
Winemaking Notes
Labeled as Reserva, the wine undergoes extended barrel aging (often ~24 months), delivering complexity and polished tannins. While exact vineyard or oak specifics weren’t available online, the style remains consistent with classic Cariñena Reserves  .
Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled lamb, roasted pork, stews, or aged Manchego cheese—foods that stand up to concentration while complementing its spice and oak.
Verdict
A compelling and well-crafted Spanish Reserva—structured, aromatic, and generous, with enough aging influence to delight now while remaining enjoyable in the near term.
Personal Pick Highlight
This 2017 is a real crowd-pleaser—rich yet elegant, fully showing off Reserva depth without losing the fruit’s core brightness. A top pick for fans of classic Spanish reds.
Castillo Montánez – Reserva Tempranillo 2017
Cariñena DOP, Aragón – Spain 🇪🇸
Overview
A regional Spanish Reserva made from 100% Tempranillo, aging for three years in oak (typically a mix of American and French), offering a serious expression of Cariñena’s terroir with both herbal charm and traditional Rioja-like depth  .
Aromas & Flavors
Deep blackberry and cherry lead, followed by rich vanilla, baking spices, and subtle tobacco. There’s a creamy texture giving it warmth, with a firm oak presence that supports the fruit rather than overshadowing it .
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with smooth tannins, a lush, velvety texture, and a balanced structure. The long finish recedes on fruit and spice, leaving a pleasant, lingering warmth.
Winemaking Notes
Labeled as Reserva, the wine undergoes extended barrel aging (often ~24 months), delivering complexity and polished tannins. While exact vineyard or oak specifics weren’t available online, the style remains consistent with classic Cariñena Reserves  .
Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled lamb, roasted pork, stews, or aged Manchego cheese—foods that stand up to concentration while complementing its spice and oak.
Verdict
A compelling and well-crafted Spanish Reserva—structured, aromatic, and generous, with enough aging influence to delight now while remaining enjoyable in the near term.
Personal Pick Highlight
This 2017 is a real crowd-pleaser—rich yet elegant, fully showing off Reserva depth without losing the fruit’s core brightness. A top pick for fans of classic Spanish reds.
