2001 Vina Real Gran Reserva
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Tasting notes
I believe 2001 was the summit of excessive extraction and excess oak in Spain's modern wine history and while the vintage probably had the potential for greatness, those excesses marked many wines. I've often found the 2001 Viña Real Gran Reserva hard, dry and somehow difficult. That year Michael Jackson sold 6. 5 million copies of his album “Invincible” and Alicia Keys had a hit with “Fallin'.” Unfortunately, that year and more specifically September 11 will be remembered as the day of the most terrible terrorist attack in the U.S., when 2, 997 people were killed. I bet you all remember where you were that day. A few weeks later, the grapes for this wine were harvested. I've never been a great fan of the 2001, there's quite a lot of oak there, with plenty of vanilla and a dry palate, plus lots of grainy tannins and it is quite extracted. Time in bottle may polish those edges. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2021.
Critic scores
Average Score
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
2001 was a media-hyped vintage in Rioja, very concentrated by an Indian summer that started around 10 October. Part of the wine was fermented in stainless steel in Haro, and the rest in cement in Elciego. Bottled in June 2005. A bit minty, very classical Rioja profile on the nose, slightly dusty, a bit drier but at the same time has a sweeter profile. Better on the nose than in the mouth, where it's quite hard, which hints at a need for bottle ageing. (LG)
(95% tempranillo with 5% graciano) Full red. Musky aromas of dried cherry, vanilla, herbs and smoked meat are complicated by slow-building floral and spice qualities. Tangy, sharply focused red fruit flavors show a pleasing bitterness, with zesty minerality providing lift. Becomes more floral with air, finishing with impressive clarity and notes of sweet red fruits, vanilla and anise. This looks like an excellent cellar candidate.
Excellent vintage. Blackish crimson. Still quite youthful and very modern nose. Rich start and then lots of acidity. Rich and furry. Not fine but certainly vigorous. (JR)
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.