2017 Vina Real Gran Reserva
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Tasting notes
The year of the frost, the 2017 Vina Real Gran Reserva Especial is thick and rich in firm persistent tannin, from a concentrated year where what berries remained were of high quality. The Tempranillo is brightened by 5% Graciano, both harvested from a selection of estate older-vine vineyards Spicy, tertiary elements are already starting to be revealed, from marmalade to black tea. A small production, it seems to be in its prime, with another 5-7 years ideal.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
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The 2017 Viña Real Gran Reserva is a classical Rioja Alavesa blend of 95% Tempranillo with 5% Graciano from their own vineyards. It matured in new and used barrels for two years and was racked every four months and no less than three in bottle. It has 13.95% alcohol, a pH of 3.54 and six grams of acidity. This is a textbook Gran Reserva; perhaps this year it shows a faster evolution, with notes of olives, with hints of mint, ripe but with acidity. It has a polished palate with fine-grained tannins and a very pleasant tactile sensation. It's ready but should also last. 30,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2020.
A wonderfully classic, soft and enticing Gran Reserva that shows off the potential of this category. It offers spicy notes and red berry fruit with grippy tannins that provide structure. The balanced acidity drives the wine, which finishes with Rioja red berry fruit and red pepper. Very classy: un vino de siempre. Sourced from a number of top vineyards in Laguardia and Elciego, Rioja Alavesa, all small sites between 500m and 650m with vines aged more than 35 years. 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano, fermented in stainless steel tanks with native yeasts, aged for a minimum of 24 months in new and second-use French and American oak barrels, then left for a minimum period of three years in bottle before release.
About the producer
CVNE, or Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (the Northern Spanish Wine Company), is one of Rioja’s leading names. With its various brands – Cune, Viña Real, Contino and Imperial – CVNE produces both large volumes and high quality, with its Imperial Gran Reserva one of the region’s finest wines.