Monte Real 1964 Gran Reserva

Wine: Monte Real 1964 Gran Reserva

Winery: Bodegas Riojanas
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, 5% Garnacha, 2% Graciano, 3% others (Viura, Malvasía Riojana)
ABV: 12.5%

Winemaking
Initial fermentation and a 12-month settling period in old 20,000-liter wooden vats. A portion of the wine was produced using the carbonic maceration system. Subsequently, it aged for 72 months in American oak barrels, with regular rackings performed every 8 months. The wine was blended in tanks and stabilized for an additional 6 to 12 months. It rested for a minimum of 6 years in the bottle prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Pale brownish-ruby of medium body; brick-colored rim with orange and reddish highlights.

 

Nose: Open and fragrant, offering a vast array of spiced notes and withered flowers (roses, petals, violets). Nuances of black truffle, leaf litter, shaded forest floor, wine-soaked staves, old leather, birch, exotic spices, and nutmeg emerge. It expresses itself with confidence as it breathes, gaining intensity and revealing black and candied fruit, hard candy, quince paste, and an earthy foundation underpinned by soft balsamic and citrus notes, including preserved lemon. An ensemble of profound purity, replete with high-quality details in every element.

 

Palate: Exceptional finesse and elegance. Dry, with a marked sense of freshness and a near-saline quality, displaying a beautiful expression of reduced black fruit. It is silken and full-bodied, expansive, with a pronounced acidity and lively, brilliant tannins. A magnificent wine from Bodegas Riojanas.

 

Personal Score: 95
Tasting Group Score: 95