Monte Real 1978 Reserva

Wine: Monte Real 1978 Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Riojanas (Cenicero, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: 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 wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation and settle before aging. It matured for 24 to 30 months in semi-used 225-liter American oak barrels, with regular rackings every 8 months. Final blending took place in tanks followed by a 6 to 12-month stabilization period. Partially filtered. It remained for a minimum of 24 months in the bottle prior to its commercial release. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Somewhat more opaque than other Monte Real Reservas from the same era. Reddish-ruby color with medium-high depth; dark. It features vivid, brilliant pomegranate and orange reflections. The rim is narrow and tawny/brick-colored, with a marked contrast against the meniscus. 

 

Nose: An impressive, tireless nose that continuously gains intensity and depth with aeration. It opens with notes of black truffle, undergrowth, fireplace soot, "Zara" licorice, and a very fine balsamic backdrop that melds with wine-soaked staves and "solera" nuances. Complex and brimming with detail, it accelerates rapidly, gaining finesse within minutes. Increasingly elegant, it reveals a potpourri of smoked peppers, blonde tobacco, nutmeg, and a fantastic expression of candied red fruits and wilted flowers.

 

Palate: Full-bodied and vivid; thick and very dry, with an initial acidity that is both striking and serves as the backbone for everything that follows. Toasted, ample, and generous, featuring firm tannins. It still requires cellaring to fully polish its edges. It possesses everything one expects from a great Monte Real, with the added bonus of future growth in the bottle. 

 

Commentary

The 1978 Reserva is a testament to how gracefully the wines of Bodegas Riojanas age. It is a structural titan that manages to combine the rustic charm of Cenicero with a sophisticated tertiary complexity. While already providing a high-level experience, its firm tannins and vibrant acidity suggest that its peak is still years away. A classic Rioja that continues to defy time with remarkable energy.

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Average: 94