1981 CVNE Vina Real Gran Reserva
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Tasting notes
While 1982 was the famous vintage, 1981 was probably the best of the 1980s in Rioja. A little unusual, because the grapes got very ripe and the 1981 Viña Real Gran Reserva is 14.12% alcohol compared with the average 13.5%, perhaps because the growing season (from sprouting to leaves falling) was exceptionally long –228 days compared with the average 200. It was exceptionally ripe, through a slow ripening, and the wine is quite Garnacha-driven, supple and opulent, in a Châteauneuf style, not unlike some vintages of Rayas. When it comes to world events, Spain was shocked on February 23 ("23-F") by an attempted coup d'état by General Tejero; IBM launched its first PC and the AIDS virus was discovered. Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States and Francois Mitterrand governed in France. Meanwhile, MTV made its debut on cable television in the U.S., playing music videos 24 hours a day; bands such as Metallica, Pet Shop Boys, Asia, Mötley Crüe, Wham! and the Manchester Boys Choir formed that year. John Lennon, who was shot and killed on December 8, 1980, had no less than three hit singles in 1981, “Woman,” “Imagine” and “(Just Like) Starting Over.” This was not the best bottle I've had, but it was certainly good. Some speculated that the wine could have been the straight Reserva, as all bottles wore new labels and a mistake could have been made at the winery. This is regularly the best wine from the 80s, quite Garnacha-dominated, like a mini Châteauneuf-du-Pape, ripe and jammy, but not banal, very pleasant. This bottle doesn't reach the heights I was hoping for. That's life. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022.
Critic scores
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The perspective of time tells us that 1981 is probably the greatest vintage of the 1980s in Rioja, even though 1982 was the famous one. CVNE's internal classification considered 1981 an excellent year. Fermented in cement and bottled in May 1987. Very harmonious on the nose. Very complex, sweet Garnacha in a burgundian style, ripe fruit, fills the mouth, lots of volume. Tasty and mineral (salty, chalky, umami). Broad rather than long. A 30-year-old baby. (LG)
While 1982 was the famous vintage, 1981 was probably the best of the 1980s in Rioja. A little unusual, because the grapes got very ripe and the 1981 Vina Real Gran Reserva is 14.12% alcohol compared with the average 13.5%, perhaps because the growing season (from sprouting to leaves falling) was exceptionally long –228 days compared with the average 200. It was exceptionally ripe, through a slow ripening, and the wine is quite Garnacha-driven, supple and opulent, in a Chateauneuf style, not unlike some vintages of Rayas. When it comes to world events, Spain was shocked on February 23 ("23-F") by an attempted coup d'etat by General Tejero; IBM launched its first PC and the AIDS virus was discovered. Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States and Francois Mitterrand governed in France. Meanwhile, MTV made its debut on cable television in the U.S., playing music videos 24 hours a day; bands such as Metallica, Pet Shop Boys, Asia, Motley Crue, Wham! and the Manchester Boys Choir formed that year. John Lennon, who was shot and killed on December 8, 1980, had no less than three hit singles in 1981, “Woman,” “Imagine” and “(Just Like) Starting Over.” This was not the best bottle I've had, but it was certainly good. Some speculated that the wine could have been the straight Reserva, as all bottles wore new labels and a mistake could have been made at the winery. This is regularly the best wine from the 80s, quite Garnacha-dominated, like a mini Chateauneuf-du-Pape, ripe and jammy, but not banal, very pleasant. This bottle doesn't reach the heights I was hoping for. That's life. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022. Apr 2015, www.robertparker.com
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.