Gran Reserva - the "Royale with Cheese"

My favorite lines of dialog from the movie, Pulp Fiction:

[VINCENT]

Alright, when you .... into a movie theatre in Amsterdam, you can buy beer.

And I don't mean in a paper cup either. They give you a glass of beer

And in Paris, you can buy beer at MacDonald's.

And you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?

[JULES]

They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?

[VINCENT]

No, they got the metric system there, they wouldn't know what the fuck a Quarter Pounder is.

[JULES]

What'd they call it?

[VINCENT]

They call it Royale with Cheese.

A Spanish bottle labeled, "Gran Reserva," is the Royale with Cheese of Spain's wine pantry.

Spanish Gran Reserva must be aged a minimum of two years in oak barrels and three years in the bottle.  Most producers from DO's like Rioja or Priorat only make a G.R. in excellent vintages.  So, generally speaking, Spanish Gran Reservas are well-made, mature wines at relatively low prices.  Case in point: Montecillo Gran Reserva, '96.

The Skinny
Montecillo Gran Reserva, '96 ($25)

• From the Rioja DOCa (Rioja Alta to be precise) of Spain
• 100% Tempranillo; French oak casks used
• Deep ruby color with a wide salmon/copper rim
• Earthy scents coupled to dried cherries, black plums, and figs
• Medium body in the mouth.  Rounded tannins, very well-balanced, with understated flavors

***.5 (3.5 stars out of 5)

Food with this wine is a must.  Try it with strong and/or funky cheeses, roasted meat, or a slow cooked stew.

And for those of you keeping score at home, this definitely qualifies as FUNKY.