2001 Monte Real Rioja Reserva

[Pete Nice]

I had this about two months ago, but kept forgetting to post about it.

This is the best Rioja I have ever had!! And I have had quite a few. After French wines, Rioja is the only other type I can say that I really know about. 2001 is the best year there ever was for Rioja wine, although 2004 does come close.

This wine is rich enough to stand up to the flavors of long cooked meats and stews. It is good with lamb, roast turkey and earthy mushroom dishes as well. It is medium bodied, earthy and rich with tastes of cherry, black fruits and oak. This wine is matured for 30 months in oak barrels and then rests in the bottle for an additional 12 months before release.

I bought it at Bottlerocket, http://www.bottlerocketwine.com on 5 W 19th Street in Manhattan. Good store. It was $23 and WELL worth it.