The 2010 Cueva del Monge Tinto is pure Tempranillo aged for 10 months in French and American oak barrels and is extremely dark, almost black, it even looks dense, with notes of creamy oak, very ripe black fruit and notes of sweetness in the nose. The palate is equally creamy, with flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla, and other sweet spice intermixed with damsons and ripe cherries, good balancing acidity and freshness. A modern and concentrated young Rioja. Drink now-2017. I found the Vinicola Real portfolio a little inconsistent with some ripe and too oaky wines. The reds, especially, seemed all very ripe and I found them a little confusing, showing notes of oxidation at first and then getting fresher with air. I tasted the wines twice and followed their evolution once the bottle was opened. Imported by Grapes Of Spain, Lorton, VA; tel. (571) 642-0343; www.grapesofspain.com