200 Monges Gran Reserva 2005 [TA 94]

Tim Atkin MW 94 points. 200 Monges Gran Reserva is a red wine produced by Bodegas Vinícola Real in a small winery situated in the town of Albelda de Iregua in the D.O. La Rioja. This wine is a blend of varieties; Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%) and Garnacha (5%) which are grown from 45-year-old vines. The harvest is done by hand and the grapes are transported to the winery in small 15kg boxes which prevents any possibility of the grapes being squashed. 200 Monges Gran Reserva is fermented for 13 days in conical French Allier wooden vats at a temperature between 25 to 30 degrees. After that there is a 28 day fermentation with the skins, which provides noble tannins that secure a great persistent colour that will remain with the wine forever. Performed 2 or 3 times per day and periodic racking. 200 Monges Gran Reserva undergoes an aging for 30 months in French and American oak barrels which are situated in an excavated rock cave where the temperature is maintained with a constant humidity throughout the year. Once the aging process has finished, the wine is bottled and then left to rest for another 40 months before it is released onto the market. This great wine from La Rioja has many years of evolution in the bottle. We recommend that you decant it at least 30-45 minutes before drinking. Total production 8935 bottles. #GEM