Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Monte Real 2005 Reserva, Rioja


Wake up world and enjoy the vibrant wines of Rioja! A typical US wine consumer could easily bypass Spanish wines because of unfamiliarity. That would be a big mistake.
Three of our tasting team members recently had a chance to pop open the 2005 Monte Real Reserva. We found it to be a great ambassador for the wines of Rioja, scoring high in taste, finish and overall drinkability.
This wine from Northcentral Spain is aged for 24 to 30 months in American oak and then is aged in the bottle at least a year before being released to the market. It is 100% Tempranillo from the Cenicero vineyard.
We’re really coming to appreciate Tempranillo. The medium body of the wine fills the void between “big” Cabernets and the delicate thinness of Pinot Noirs.
It’s a beautiful wine with polished tannins and intense cherry flavor notes. Swirls of pepper and spice add to the enjoyment.
Monte Real Reserva is an expressive wine with its red fruit mingled with a delightful earthiness. This is a great choice for barbecued brisket or a roasted leg of lamb.
The cost is quite reasonable, just $24 for a wine you’d be proud to serve your in-laws (if you like them) or your boss. Monte Real Reserva is a smart choice to introduce yourself to the wines of Rioja.
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Full disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.
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