Bodegas Riojanas, Monte Real Gran Reserva, Rioja

This is drinking really well. Notes of prune, black tea, blackberry, and cocoa.

Seems to have lost a lot since the last bottle I tried. This one has notes of earth, cherry, and cocoa. Lacks the freshness of prior bottles. Might be time to drink up.

First of all - I paid ridiculously low price for this great wine-18.40€. Second - last August I had 1996 vintage and it was fantastic. Let's see what this wine can bring to my tongue and brain. 🕐⏰🕤 A lot of herbs in smell! For good or bad. Sweet flavors of vanilla, plum, blackberry. Also a lot of leather (for good or bad). Taste? Grainy texture!( You like it or you don't). Prune ( I like it), plum, ripe red …

Notes of cherry, tar, and fig. Quite nice.

Dark purple with a slight brown tint to rim. Notes of prune and pepper, with moderate acidity and soft tannins.

lacking the elegance or intensity of perfume I'd expect from this wine at this age

Dark cherry, spice, and earthy notes; pronounced fruit. Medium-plus acidity, medium-plus tannins that are well integrated. Drinking nicely.

Fruity'e, both black and red. Spice and a little oak. Nice wine. Nice aroma. Will fit nicely with lamb.

Red currant, dried mushroom, and cedar notes. Medium acidity and well-integrated tannins. Very nice.

Black cherry, leather and leather on the nose Med+ alcohol Med+ acidity Long finish

Full bodied with a lovely finish.

Very enjoyable Rioja at a very nice price.

Hemos bebido muchas botellas de este vino, en añadas 2011 y 2012. El 2012 es claramente mejor (aunque a Elena le gusta más el 2011), más varietal y aromas primarios en nariz. Más rioja moderno, mucha fruta y menos terciario que 2011. En boca es fácil de beber, poco astringente pero acidez marcada. Muy agradable, ancho. Creo que 2012 es una añada de esas infravaloradas en Rioja, para mí mejor que 2011, más concentración y menos calidez.