1995 Bodegas Riojanas, Monte Real - Rioja Reserva - 3 Pullot (0.7 L)

Producer tasting notes: (1995 vintage) "Monte Real Reserva has a mysterious complexity and elegance from its source. This Tempranillo fragrance was created to conquer with its aroma. Intense cherry red color with subtle vermilion rims. On the nose, they appear fresh red fruits intermingled with compotes of ripe fruits, with the licorice scent. On the palate, it seduces with its fleshiness, charm with that magic of liquorice and the silkiness of the ripe fruit forming a concoction that sparkles playing with the notes of chocolate, clove, nutmeg and balsamic." - Bodegas Riojanas

For Spain, the 1995 vintage was brilliant and the Rioja vintage was widely considered ‘Excelente’.
After a long period of drought spanning several years, the 1995 harvest produced a bounty.
A mild winter moved into an easy spring with some localized April frosts. A warm May soon alleviated any stress and the budding was mostly successful

Bodegas Riojanas is a major wine producer and wine group based in the Rioja town of Cenicero but encompassing several wineries, numerous Spanish wine regions and producing nearly 70 wines across 20 brands. It is probably best-known for its Viña Albina and Monte Real Rioja brands.

The winery was established in 1890 by the Artacho family in Cenicero, on the banks of the Ebro river, 20km (12 miles) due west of the regional capital Logroño, in the Rioja Alta. Brands such as Monte Real and Artacho are established in the early 20th Century, the former by French winemaker Gabriel Larrendat who worked at the winery for several years until returning to France in 1933.