KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06 - Wine #4

Name of Wine: Hacienda Monasterio (Crianza)
Vintage: 1998
Region: Ribera del Duero
Alcohol level: 13.5%

Appearance: Clear, opague-intensity. Ruby coloured with a narrow garnet rim & some legs.

Nose: Clean, medium-intensity, youthful aromas. Blackcherries, a bit medicinal, and there's a hint of mint.

Palate: Dry, medium acidity. Medium-high levels of soft tannins. Medium-full bodied & medium intensity of flavours. Blackfruit, mostly blackcurrants, mineral, peppery-spiced. High alcohol level, a medium-long length of finish.

Grapes: Tempranillo

Remarks: "Crianza" indicates this wine should have gone through at least 1 yr of ageing in oak & another yr in bottle. The wine must not be released before the third year.