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Rioja Gran Reserva Monte Real, Bodegas Riojanas 1964

RegionSpain
Subregion Spain > Rioja
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyTempranillo

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Tasting Notes

The 1964 vintage of Monte Real Gran Reserva has always been my favorite year for this wine, and though it had some competition for my affection at this tasting by the superb wines from 1955 and 1942, this is still the reference point vintage of Monte Real. This was the very first vintage for long-time Cellar Master Felipe Nalda Frías, who was Technical Director at Bodegas Riojanas from 1964 until 2006. Not a bad inaugural vintage! The Gran Reserva 1964 spent fully nine years aging in cask prior to bottling, making it one of the longest-tenured vintages in barrel in the history of the Monte Real bottling. The beautifully classic bouquet continues to soar from the glass in a complex blend of raspberries, red plums, a touch of cocoa powder, Cuban cigars, sweet nutskin, a fine base of soil, a hint of celery seed, cloves and a discreet base of coconutty American oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and still retains a touch of sappiness at the core, with outstanding focus and grip, tangy acids and a very long, pure and seamlessly balanced finish. A great, great wine. Drink between 2019-2060

95+
John Gilman, View From the Cellar (86), April 2020
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.