This morning, CVNE, a benchmark name in Rioja, has released the latest 2017 vintage of 'Vina Real', one of the best value Gran Reservas from any of the famous bodegas.  The 2017 is rated an 'Especial' by CVNE, a term reserved for the best vintages.  Scoring 95 points from Suckling, at under £22 per bottle in bond, it is around half the price of their 'Imperial' Gran Reserva. Vina Real is also available in magnums, double magnums, and jeroboams. 

CVNE was established in the famous 'Barrio de la Estación' (Station District) of Haro in Rioja Alta in 1879, just a few hundred metres from the bodega of La Rioja Alta.  Short for Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España, the labels for the inaugural vintage were mis-spelt 'CUNE' and the bodega's name has been pronounced 'Coo-nay' ever since.  

Vina Real is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha, aged for 24 months in French and American oak barrels. In contrast to CVNE's Imperial Gran Reserva, the style is more traditional and 'oaky', but with a similar intensity and quality of underlying fruit, one of many ways in which Vina Real over-delivers relative to its price.

The growing season in Rioja 2017 saw a severe frost at the end of April, leading to a smaller harvest compared to 2016.  A dry summer led to an unsually early harvest, with high concentration and slightly more ripeness than normal, leading to CVNE's 'Especial' declaration.

We re-tasted the 2017 over lunch yesterday at a trade event.  Served from magnum, it was a model of combined power and restraint, already drinking well, but with many more years of development ahead of it.  The large formats are in limited availability, so please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to add some to your cellar.

Please simply e-mail us to place your order. 

Offered pre-landing, available from bond December 2024.