Tasting notes:

If you like your Riojas to be wonderful, rare and old-school in style, then this old-vine, single vineyard, limited-edition Rioja from Monte Real is a must. With 40 months in American oak barrels, there’s a lovely brick-red appearance and appealing oxidative notes of sweet balsamic, shoe leather and liquorice, along with some delicious notes of stewed red berry and prunes, then an orange-like acidity and chalky-fine tannins. Delicious now, this wine is in a mature state, although it could certainly be aged and enjoyed in 10 years’ time, and has that wonderful Riojan trait of being sweet, aged and refreshing too, with the latter a result of firm acidity and fine tannins. (Patrick Schmitt MW)