Rating:
93
James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com
Mocha, toffee and spiced plums on the nose of this creamy, spicy red. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm but fine and powdery tannins. Chocolate notes to close. Vegan. Drink from 2026.
Product Description:
CVNE is one of the most important wine producers of Spain, on account of its illustrious history, and its omnipresence in the contemporary Spanish wine scene. Founded by the Real de Asua brothers in 1879, it remains family-owned and family-run, with the latest generation committed more than ever to making great wine in meaningful quantities. The 3 company wineries perfectly symbolise the 3 essential principles that have always caracterised the CVNE philosophy : the respect of heritage evident at the historic Haro bodegas; the embrace of new technology and innovation in the James Bond-inspired Viña Real facility; and the valorisation of terroir that is Contino, Rioja's most magical vineyard site transformed into truly magical wines. Bright ruby-red. Cherry, redcurrant, tobacco and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Deep, sappy, open-knit red and dark berry flavors pick up floral pastille and smoke nuances with air. Finishes broad and smooth, with slow-mounting spiciness and gentle tannins. Quite elegant for the vintage and drinking nicely right now.
Tasting notes
This wine shows shades of medium to deep shiny cherry colour on a purple background. To the nose, intense aromas of ripe fruits (blackberries, blackcurrants) stand out, complemented with subtle hints of oak. To the palate, it shows structured and round with a good integration of fruitiness and oakiness. The aftertaste is marked by very well balanced tannins as well as by persistent spicy, toasty and balsamic aromas. A long stay in bottle is the finishing touch to this Rioja Alavesa wine's character