Wine: Monte Real 1999 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Riojanas (Cenicero, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
ABV: 13.5%
Winery: Bodegas Riojanas (Cenicero, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
ABV: 13.5%
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards in Cenicero and San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled tanks for 6 to 8 months for stabilization before oak aging. The wine matured for 36 months in semi-neutral 225-liter barrels (90% American oak, 10% French oak), with periodic rackings every 8 months. After blending, it rested in tanks for an additional 6 to 12 months. Aged for a minimum of 3 years in the winery’s underground cellars before its commercial release.
Grapes sourced from estate vineyards in Cenicero and San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled tanks for 6 to 8 months for stabilization before oak aging. The wine matured for 36 months in semi-neutral 225-liter barrels (90% American oak, 10% French oak), with periodic rackings every 8 months. After blending, it rested in tanks for an additional 6 to 12 months. Aged for a minimum of 3 years in the winery’s underground cellars before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Garnet-red with medium-high depth. Significantly darker than any
previous vintage, signaling the stylistic shift at the winery during the
late 90s. Limpid and free of sediment. Brilliant pomegranate and orange
reflections. Narrow copper rim, sharply defined against the meniscus.
Dense, persistent legs with a marked sense of viscosity.
Nose:
Closed and somewhat brusque upon opening. An initial wave of toasted
wood and hearth smoke gives way to coffee beans, black liquorice, and a
faint mineral backdrop of graphite, vegetal fibers, and gunpowder. It
lacks subtlety and struggles to unfurl completely, likely undergoing one
of those "low phases" characteristic of this label. With aeration, it
begins to reveal traces of red fruits, Mediterranean scrubland, and a
hint of vanilla.
Palate:
The palate confirms the nose: harsh, firm, and tight, with pronounced
tannins and intact acidity. Concentrated, bitter, and dry, it retains
all the vitality of its youth; time in the bottle seems to have done
little to soften it. It remains stubborn and unyielding.
Commentary:
A "two-faced" Monte Real, caught between its traditional decades-long identity and the modern style that would follow. While it marks a departure from Riojanas’ historic path, it still retains the core DNA that brought the winery its prestige. It has yet to emerge from its lethargy, but its aging potential is undeniable. This can be cellared with total confidence.
A "two-faced" Monte Real, caught between its traditional decades-long identity and the modern style that would follow. While it marks a departure from Riojanas’ historic path, it still retains the core DNA that brought the winery its prestige. It has yet to emerge from its lethargy, but its aging potential is undeniable. This can be cellared with total confidence.
Personal Score: 88
Tasting Group Average: 89
Tasting Group Average: 89
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