Monte Real Gran Reserva 2008 (3 Bottles) Bodegas Riojanas - (Cenicero, La Rioja) D.O.: Rioja Rioja Vintage Rating 2008: VERY GOOD "This house, founded in 1890 by the Artacho and Carreras families, is one of the 13 century-old wineries in Rioja. Signs of that long history are the stone door that in 1799 allowed access to the family vineyards and that is now preserved at the entrance to the Cenicero winery, and the prizes awarded to its wines prior to its foundation, such as the gold medal at the Barcelona Universal Exhibition of 1888. Bodegas Riojanas, however, did not officially begin to make its wines until ten years later, in 1910, and just one year later it received its first international award: the Grand Prix of Honor of Argentina. It is a family winery that is currently run by its fifth generation. One of their basic premises is to follow classic patterns in the production of their wines, and they also count on the fact that a large part of the team of winemakers descends from the founding family. The best vineyards of the house are found in the areas of Cenicero, San Vicente de la Sonsierra and the towns near these two Rioja towns. There they mainly grow the Tempranillo variety, but Bodegas Riojanas also cultivates one of the largest areas dedicated to the Mazuelo and Graciano varieties within the appellation."