2013 Rioja Gran Reserva
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Tasting notes
Cropped from a challenging year, the 2013 Cune Gran Reserva is the classical blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, and it matured in barrique for 24 months followed by 36 months in bottle before being released. They didn't make an Imperial Gran Reserva or even Reserva in 2013, so the best grapes from the challenging 2013 vintage went to this Gran Reserva. It's from a lighter year and perhaps had a softer vinification and a shorter élevage, delivering a gentler Gran Reserva with more fruit. It has an herbal twist that led us to discuss the 1975 Viña Real Gran Reserva, which has a really strong herbal strike. The palate is quite light and is medium-bodied, with mostly resolved tannins and a dry finish. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2016.
Critic scores
Average Score
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Deep, bright-rimmed ruby. Highly perfumed red fruit, potpourri, pipe tobacco, vanilla and coconut aromas, along with hints of star anise, cola and woodsmoke. Offers intense redcurrant, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air while maintaining vivacity. Finishes very long, smooth and appealingly sweet, showing excellent definition, sneaky tannins and a late jolt of smoky minerality.
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.