2009 Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero (RT94) This wine completely outperformed expectations and reminds me what amazing values continue to be offered from Spain. The huge level of production belies its class and character which more closely resembles a wine of much smaller production scale. At age 15 it is still hanging on to its youthful side, showing a deep russet hue with garnet accents as it wafts up fresh notes of wild red cherry, red and black currants, wet stones, hints of dark chocolate, forest underbrush, and hints of brown tobacco. The palate is packed with ripe fruit and fresh acidity, while on the finish the tannins remain relatively firm, but are gradually integrating. This is a lovely wine and a generous surprise. I suggest buying it on release and cellaring it for optimal drinking value. Drink now-2034 Tasted October 2024
Hacienda Monasterio is a large estate with nearly 100 hectares of vineyards. This wine is their largest production bottling and their primary focus. They also produce Reserva and Reserva Especial bottling. Well over 150,000 bottles of this wine are typically produced, with some vintages production levels soaring as high as 180,000 or more. The exact blend varies from vintage to vintage and is typically predominantly Tinta del país (aka Tempranillo) with 10% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Grapes are machine harvested and then de-stemming. Maceration goes through a pre-fermentative cold soak first and is then completed over 30 days. It is then barrel aged for 18 months in Allier (French) oak barrels, of which less than half were new in this vintage, the balance second and third passage. In more recent vintages the percentage of new oak has steadily declined.
