Viña Real (CVNE)

Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend

9.6

Elegant, balanced, not the strongest example of 68, but subtle fruit, medium length. Delightful. Comfortable slippers on a cold rainy night in Napa. — 4 days ago

Eric and Laura liked this

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 1998

Roberto Carli

9.7

what an outstanding experience and without question one of the best wines of the year for me. This is a world class business card of what American oak can do at its best. It starts with a powerful yet elegant knows of dusty cherry, old licorice but mostly gives way to inebriating feeling of grandma‘s old spice cabinet. Something in the nose already tells you that fine fine tans are waiting for you, but the palate is overwhelmingly silky smoothness, possibly the highest combination of intense-yet-silky tannins you can find anywhere, with bright acidity and medium to light body that makes the whole thing dance. I decided to check the producer website and they recommend pairing it with cod with sauce. Luck would have it that I randomly was eating pasta filled with salt cod and tomato sauce. The pairing works well as it further rejuvenates the wine, but I would say it shines at its brightest just by itself, letting those tannins tell the story without any need to curb them down. I’m drinking from Coravin meaning I cannot decant the wine, but even the sediment tastes good. Just like those people who brag about buying burgundy in the 70s, I feel like once the ebbs and flows of trends will shift I will be bragging about buying a 26-year-old monte real gran reserva, kept 24 years at the winery, for 60 bucks, which in San Francisco wouldn’t even pay for the cost of storage — 3 months ago

Andrew, Douglas and 6 others liked this

Viña Real (CVNE)

Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2019

Tony D

9.0

Light rioja. But I honestly don’t know much about the wines. Going to Spain next week should be better to describe next time. Not very tannins. Not very dry. Medium oak. Like it especially on a beautiful night after playing soccer with my kid. 17$. Totally worth it. Would recommend. — 6 months ago