Licorice, dark chocolate and leather notes frame currant and pomegranate flavors in this dense red. Firm tannins and balsamic acidity keep this focused, in a savory style. Drink now through 2023. 12,500 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add

Most of the reds I tasted from Vinícola Real and related projects were very ripe, playing with over-ripeness, as was the case with the 2010 200 Monges Reserva, which showed notes of stewed prunes, liqueur and something earthy and organic. The palate showed consistent flavors and moderate acidity.

The 2009 200 Monges Reserva, a blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Garnacha, matured in new French and American oak barrels for 18 months. It has powerful aromas of roasted coffee, charred wood, dark spices and ripe black fruit. The palate also has plenty of oak-related flavors and abundant, slightly dusty tannins. A powerful, modern Rioja red for fans of oaky reds.

There are two 200 Monges reds from 2008, which might be a bit confusing. The so-called 2008 200 Monges Reserva is 85% Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and the rest Garnacha, fermented in oak vats for 11 days and matured in new French and American oak barrels for 18 months. It's hard to imagine how a cold and rainy vintage like 2008 could produce such ripe aromas of dark, macerated berries and develop dark aromas of graphite and wet fur. The palate shows plenty of edgy tannins and a somewhat dry finish ending with a bitter taste, like the fruit seems to be fading. For fans of the style. Drink up. 55,000 bottles.

The 2007 “200 Monges” Reserva is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Garnacha aged for at least 18 months in new French and American oak barriques, and looks extremely dark and concentrated, is slightly reduced in the nose and would benefit from some energetic decanting to get through to the nose of dark chocolate, humus, peat, black mushrooms, dark plums and chalk, slightly dominated by the oak. The medium to full-bodied palate lacks some delineation and intensity of flavors, and has good acidity, but the tannins are too dry. Drink 2014-2017. 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