Montecillo 1998

[Thomas]

Crianza, Rioja; 12.5 alc.

Nose reminded me of a cedar closet and so I thought I was in for an oak bomb. Not so. Some wood, but relatively easy on me. The body is on the light side, but I liked the gravelly quality of the wine and it has a reasonable finish that lingered enough to make the $9 price tag a bargain. As inexpensive as it is, however, there isn't enough here to make me want to go back.

Went well with pork chops and black beans and rice smothered in cilantro/chile sauce.