2009 Rioja Vina Del Olivo
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Tasting notes
(88% tempranillo and 12% graciano; fermented in large wooden tanks and then aged in small French and American oak barrels for 18 months): Saturated ruby. A heady, complex bouquet evokes dark berry liqueur, incense, candied flowers and cola, with suave vanilla and Moroccan spice nuances gaining strength with aeration. Silky, energetic and focused on the palate, offering intense red and dark berry flavors that gain weight and sweetness on the back half. Smoothly melds richness and vivacity, with superb finishing clarity, length and velvety tannins coming up slowly.
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Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Vino del Olivo was raised entirely in new oak for 18 months, of which 70% is French. It has a beautifully defined, dare I say “nubile” bouquet with cassis, strawberry and fresh fig that is irresistible, whereby the oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with a sensual, velvety entry that is Burgundian in texture, embracing the oak so that it complements rather than overwhelms the fruit. The finish retains that precision and elegance, although it is unequivocally a wine that deserves aging. Drink 2015-2030. CVNE was founded by the Real de Asua brothers in 1879 and has remained family-owned since that time. The historic bodega is located in Haro, and there are three companies under the umbrella: CVNE, Contino and Vina Real. These wines were tasted on two occasions in London, revisiting recent vintages plus older ones to compare. The Vino del Olivo is fermented in large oak vats and undergoes malolactic in new French barrels, where it is matured for 17 months. The Graciano is limited to around 6,000 bottles per vintage and is aged for 15 months in new oak (90% French and 10% Hungarian) and then 12 months in bottle. Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com