<div>Montesierra Crianza 2001<br /><br />This wine is in a typical Somontano style, elegant fruit and well-integrated oak.&nbsp; It is made from the Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Moristel grapes.&nbsp; To attain the crianza rating it has been raised 12 months in American oak barrels and then kept an additional year in bottle in the bodega until release to the market. It is amazing to get a full crianza at this price level: 5&euro;!<br /><br />{mosimage}Bodega: Bodegas Pirineos<br />DO Somontano<br />Tel: 97 431 1289<br /><a href="http://www.bodegapirineos.com/"><u>www.bodegapirineos.com</u></a><br />Founded: 1993<br />Barrels:&nbsp; 5000<br />Annual production: 600,000 liters <br />Vineyards:&nbsp; 140 hectares <br /></div><div><br />Wine: Montesierra Crianza 2001<br />Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moristel<br />13.5% alcohol<br />Fermentation at 28C with 21 days of maceration with skins after<br />Six months in French and US oak barrels with resting period in cement vats until bottling 14 months after harvest<br /><div><br />Tasting notes:&nbsp; <br />Visual: Nice cherry color, still youthful<br />Nose:&nbsp; Medium intensity. Definetely some oak in the nose (spices and cacao), but is not aggressive.&nbsp; Tons of red cherry fruit.&nbsp; <br />Mouth:&nbsp; Smooth, elegant, with very integrated oak notes.&nbsp; Very good equilibrium with good acid <br />Conclusion: Great oak integration...there is nothing worse than aggressive oak in a crianza.&nbsp; Great for just sipping, but will go with most meat dishes.&nbsp; For drinking right now, but definitely will keep for a couple of years.<br /></div></div>