Monte Real 1981 Reserva

Wine: Monte Real 1981 Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Riojanas (Cenicero, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, 5% Garnacha, 2% Graciano, 3% others (Viura, Malvasía Riojana).
ABV: [Not specified]

Winemaking
The wine rested for 12 months in old 20,000-liter oak vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It was subsequently matured for 24 to 30 months in semi-seasoned 225-liter American oak barriques. Partially filtered. Bottled in mid-1985. It underwent a minimum of 24 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars prior to its commercial release. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Orange-ruby hue of medium body; brilliant and clear with reddish and amber flashes. It features a fully tawny (tile-red) rim and shows no sediment.

 

Nose: An extremely powerful bouquet dominated by an array of spices, reminiscent of a Moroccan attar (curry, turmeric, anise, cumin, clove, powdered bay leaf). A very fine smoky note of black pepper gains intensity, eventually leading the ensemble. The wine continuously evolves, revealing new layers and intricate details. Remarkable mineral undertones of pencil lead and slate emerge. Despite hours of aeration, it remains upright, becoming increasingly compact, multifaceted, and potent. Finally, high-quality ripe black fruit surfaces, with delicate hints of plum compote and quince.

 

Palate: Impeccably integrated, vigorous, and bone-dry, supported by vibrant acidity. It possesses an exemplary structural backbone—powerful and concentrated. The palate shows a subtle bitter touch of black licorice, sustained by elegant, soft toasted notes of vanilla and seasoned wood. Elegant, energetic, and full of drive. With time, it gains further definition and depth, showing polished yet firm tannins and an abundance of black fruit in its prime (en sazón). Its robustness and extractive feel lend it an almost "modern" character. There are no signs of its 30-plus years of age; it remains a wine to cellar further, as it still has a long life ahead.

 

Personal Score: 94
Tasting Group Score: 95