Montebuena
Rioja (Spain)

The Estate
In the mid-1960s, 70% of the winegrowers (175 vintners) decided to join forces and found the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida, which currently ranks as the largest co-operative winery in the Basque Country, with a production capacity of 7 million liters. 
Right from the outset, these winegrowers wanted to be involved in the entire process, from cultivating vineyards to barrel-ageing wine to bottling. Towards this end, the co-op has established its own brands and striven to enhance its facilities, equipping them with the most modern equipment available, as with its stainless steel tanks, a cooling unit for regulating fermentation temperatures and new bottling plant.

Manuel Ruiz Hernández, winemaker (center), Gaizka Lejarza, managing director (right)

Lunch at the winery - Spanish trip, June 2007

The Vineyards
The ageing of wines has always been one of this winery’s passions and primary concerns. At present, the co-op has 6,000 American oak casks in storage, with an average age of five years.

Spanish trip, June 2007


Lagares - The small sub-region of Montebuena outside the town of Labastida, la Rioja region is home to ancient grape growing and wine production from Romain times.

The Wine

shelf talker / case card


shelf talker / case card

shelf talker

UPC code: 7 84585 00304 4
2009 Montebuena, Rioja, 12/750ml
Produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes, which are hand harvested from the Montebuena vineyard.
Brilliant deep ruby red color, fruity aromas .
Montebuena Red has a spicy vanilla bouquet and is smooth and fruity in the mouth with some well-integrated secondary nuances, full-flavored and a persistent pleasant finish.

"The 2009 Montebuena is 100% Tempranillo. Dark ruby-colored, it offers an appealing perfume of spice box, leather, tobacco, and blackberry. On the palate it is packed with ripe fruit, has outstanding concentration, and impeccable balance. It is a great bargain that offers a sneak preview of the great 2009 vintage in Rioja and northern Spain in general. It should drink well for 6-8 years."
- Wine Advocate (April 2010), 90 pts

click to watch video:
 
James Suckling - ( www.jamessuckling.com ), 90pts

#S0EE302007TPS
UPC code: 7 84585 00304 4
2008 Montebuena, Rioja, 12/750ml
Produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes, which are hand harvested from the Montebuena vineyard.
Brilliant deep ruby red color, fruity aromas .
Montebuena Red has a spicy vanilla bouquet and is smooth and fruity in the mouth with some well-integrated secondary nuances, full-flavored and a persistent pleasant finish.

UPC code: 7 84585 00304 4
2007 Montebuena, Rioja, 12/750ml
Produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes, which are hand harvested from the Montebuena vineyard.
Brilliant deep ruby red color, fruity aromas .
Montebuena Red has a spicy vanilla bouquet and is smooth and fruity in the mouth with some well-integrated secondary nuances, full-flavored and a persistent pleasant finish.

88 pts - RED VALUE - Wine Advocate (Feb. 09)

#S0EE302005TPS
UPC code: 7 84585 00304 4
2006 Montebuena, Rioja, 12/750ml
In the mid-1960s, 70% of the winegrowers (175 vintners) decided to join forces and found the Unión de Cosecheros of Labastida, which currently ranks as the largest co-operative winery in the Basque Country, with a production capacity of 7 million liters.
Deep ruby. Ripe, fruit forward blackberry aromas with nicely integrated French oak. Soft attack of dark red fruits. Medium weight. Good acidity. Slight astringent finish. Moderate, ripe tannins. "Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point."
- i-Wine Review.com, 87 pts



National Retail Price: $12.99 / bottle