The 2014 Cueva del Monge felt overripe and somehow advanced, with earthy aromas and flavors. Drink up.

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

The 2009 Cueva del Monge Tinto is pure Tempranillo fermented in large oak vats for ten months. It has a ripe damson and oyster shell-scented bouquet that demands coaxing from the glass. The palate is structured on the entry and is a little brusque at first with grippy dry tannins. There are touches of sour lemon and white pepper infusing the black fruit profile on the saline finish. This is an intriguing wine that would benefit from decanting. Drink 2013-2017. I am thankful that an apoplectic policeman that pulled over our vehicle for a seat belt violation (see introduction) eventually allowed me to continue on my journey to Vinicola Real. That was too minor a transgression to be denied winemaker Miguel Ruiz's excellent wines. He told me that his aim is to produce Reservas and Gran Reservas of great longevity, like his inspiration in Bordeaux. Here, the vines are certified organic. Miguel also has his only personal project: Tierra Antigua (see separate entry) but I will commence with their recently introduced "Urbion" range, where the aim to produce a quality, entry-level Riojas. Importer: Grapes of Spain, Lorton, VA (Monges); The Marfa Group, Texas and HP Selections, NY (Urbion)

Vinicola Real’s 2008 Cueva del Monge is 100% Tempranillo aged for 10 months in French and American oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up a pleasing perfume of cedar, spice box, tobacco, violets, and blackberry. In the glass it comes off as slightly one-dimensional displaying power without much complexity. Perhaps another 1-2 years in bottle will achieve some positive evolution. Importer: Aurelio Cabestrero, Grapes of Spain, Lorton, VA; Tel. (571) 642-0343

The 2006 Cueva del Monge exhibits a pleasing perfume of cedar, mineral, incense, and black cherry. Racy red fruits are featured on the palate buttressed by lively acidity. This nicely balanced, medium-long offering will drink nicely over the next 5 years. Importer: RV Distributors, Jersey City, NJ