Wine: Monte Real 1985 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Riojanas (Cenicero, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano.
ABV: 12% vol.
Winery: Bodegas Riojanas (Cenicero, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano.
ABV: 12% vol.
Winemaking:
Fermentation took place in tanks for 6 to 8 months, where the wine stabilized before racking. It subsequently rested for 36 months in semi-neutral 225-liter American oak barrels, with regular rackings every 8 months. After blending in tanks and a final stabilization period of 6 to 12 months, the wine was bottled in late 1989. A minimum of 3 years of bottle aging in the winery’s subterranean cellars was required prior to its commercial release.
Fermentation took place in tanks for 6 to 8 months, where the wine stabilized before racking. It subsequently rested for 36 months in semi-neutral 225-liter American oak barrels, with regular rackings every 8 months. After blending in tanks and a final stabilization period of 6 to 12 months, the wine was bottled in late 1989. A minimum of 3 years of bottle aging in the winery’s subterranean cellars was required prior to its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Medium-depth ruby-brownish color; clean, with fine sediment at the base
of the bottle. Featuring brilliant orange and reddish reflections.
Broad, fully brick-orange rim.
Nose:
From the moment of uncorking, it displays a strong, vibrant, and
fragrant intensity. It unfolds a perfume of withered petals and an
almost sweet succession of candied quince, orange zest, and toffee
(reminiscent of Werther's Original). An attractive earthy foundation
supports bouquets of laurel, anise, and aromatic herbs. Serious, smoky,
and consistent—a quintessential Monte Real profile. Though already expressive, it possesses the depth to continue evolving with further aeration.
Palate: It appears slightly more slender and lighter than other Monte Real
Gran Reservas from the 1980s, yet without losing its characteristic
vigor and breadth. Fresh and silky, it features an intense core of
freshness where candied fruit and very fine bitter nuances are nestled.
Deeply spiced, it retains a sense of old, lightly toasted wood
accompanied by a fleeting, furtive hint of cinnamon.
Commentary:
The 1985 Monte Real Gran Reserva is a wine in top form, offering immense drinking pleasure. Bodegas Riojanas remains a reliable benchmark, consistently delivering outstanding vintages that often fly under the radar despite their exceptional quality. This 1985 is a clear example of the winery's excellence—a bottle to be collected by the case, as its value and poise only seem to increase with the passage of time.
The 1985 Monte Real Gran Reserva is a wine in top form, offering immense drinking pleasure. Bodegas Riojanas remains a reliable benchmark, consistently delivering outstanding vintages that often fly under the radar despite their exceptional quality. This 1985 is a clear example of the winery's excellence—a bottle to be collected by the case, as its value and poise only seem to increase with the passage of time.
Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Average: 91
Tasting Group Average: 91
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