C.V.N.E
Bodegas Companía Vinicola del Norte de España (CVNE) is still run by the Real de Asua family whose ancestors founded it in 1879. Located in the town of Haro, they built a new winery in the 1980s. They are consistently one of the top Rioja house. Their white is one of the few heavily oaked Riojas available.
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(6x150cl) 2021James Suckling (96)
Such an exuberant, floral nose with lots of berries, plums, dark cherries, ink and touches of dark minerals, mussels and spices. Quite pristine and naked, with a medium to full body and a mouthful of powerful, sensuous tannins. Great tension. A super-confident, single-vineyard wine without much adornment. Drink or hold.$928.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Such an exuberant, floral nose with lots of berries, plums, dark cherries, ink and touches of dark minerals, mussels and spices. Quite pristine and naked, with a medium to full body and a mouthful of powerful, sensuous tannins. Great tension. A super-confident, single-vineyard wine without much adornment. Drink or hold.$289.00 -
(6x75cl) 2009$170.00 -
(6x75cl) 2011$164.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2005 Gran Reserva is 90% Tempranillo and aged 20% in American and 80% French oak for 18 months. It has a flamboyant bouquet of kirsch, orange peel and earthy, cedar aromas that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine focus and poise. It bounds along with pure dark cherry and raspberry fruit that are cut through by a silver thread of acidity. It is very harmonious and clean, with an attractive note of leather and dark chocolate towards the finish. This is very fine and well-crafted. Drink 2013-2022+$97.00 -
(6x75cl) 2005Wine Advocate (93)
The 2005 Gran Reserva is 90% Tempranillo and aged 20% in American and 80% French oak for 18 months. It has a flamboyant bouquet of kirsch, orange peel and earthy, cedar aromas that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine focus and poise. It bounds along with pure dark cherry and raspberry fruit that are cut through by a silver thread of acidity. It is very harmonious and clean, with an attractive note of leather and dark chocolate towards the finish. This is very fine and well-crafted. Drink 2013-2022+$311.00 -
(6x75cl) 2007Vinous (93)
Brilliant ruby-red. Smoke- and mineral-accented aromas of dark berry preserves, dried cherry, pipe tobacco, vanilla and incense. Stains the palate with intense blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. Packs a serious punch but comes off as lithe and precise, finishing with strong cut and length and silky tannins that come up slowly.$311.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
I was waiting to compare the 2010 Viña Real Gran Reserva with the Imperial Gran Reserva from that same vintage, as the comparison promised to be fascinating. This red blend from the Alavesa part of Rioja produced in its own winery is 95% Tempranillo and the rest Graciano; it fermented in stainless steel and matured in oak barrel for two years. The wine shows superb balance and harmony, with very subtle aromas of spices and flowers. It is one of those noses that make you go back to the wine over and over again, as it developed subtle nuances every time you smelled it. The palate feels a bit light compared with the Contino, which has more clout. I was going back and forth and at the end, I believe the three have a very similar quality level; what's best is that each has its own style and personality. 20,000 bottles produced.$313.00 -
(6x75cl) 2011$297.00 -
Vinous (94)
Glass-staining ruby. A highly complex bouquet features ripe red berry, cherry liqueur, cured tobacco and mocha scents, and a smoky mineral nuance and a hint of white pepper add urgency. Sweet, mineral-driven blackberry, cherry-vanilla, chewing tobacco and candied rose flavors show impressive depth as well as energy. Blends power and finesse with a steady hand and finishes chewy, sweet and impressively long, with youthfully gripping tannins adding framework.$241.00 -
(1x75cl) 2015Vinous (94)
Glass-staining ruby. A highly complex bouquet features ripe red berry, cherry liqueur, cured tobacco and mocha scents, and a smoky mineral nuance and a hint of white pepper add urgency. Sweet, mineral-driven blackberry, cherry-vanilla, chewing tobacco and candied rose flavors show impressive depth as well as energy. Blends power and finesse with a steady hand and finishes chewy, sweet and impressively long, with youthfully gripping tannins adding framework.$768.00 -
Vinous (94)
Glass-staining ruby. A highly complex bouquet features ripe red berry, cherry liqueur, cured tobacco and mocha scents, and a smoky mineral nuance and a hint of white pepper add urgency. Sweet, mineral-driven blackberry, cherry-vanilla, chewing tobacco and candied rose flavors show impressive depth as well as energy. Blends power and finesse with a steady hand and finishes chewy, sweet and impressively long, with youthfully gripping tannins adding framework.$229.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The extremely affordable 2016 Viña Real Gran Reserva Especial recovers the "Especial" mention from the old Reserva Especial vintages from a very good year. It's a classical Rioja Alavesa blend of 95% Tempranillo with 5% Graciano from their own vineyards. It's open and expressive, with notes of berries, fresh blood and iron, orange peel and sweet spices with the oak still present and in need of some more time in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied and feels lean and serious, with abundant chalky tannins. This should be a classical vintage of this wine in the making. It matured in barrel for two years and no less than three in bottle. 30,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2019.$194.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The extremely affordable 2016 Viña Real Gran Reserva Especial recovers the "Especial" mention from the old Reserva Especial vintages from a very good year. It's a classical Rioja Alavesa blend of 95% Tempranillo with 5% Graciano from their own vineyards. It's open and expressive, with notes of berries, fresh blood and iron, orange peel and sweet spices with the oak still present and in need of some more time in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied and feels lean and serious, with abundant chalky tannins. This should be a classical vintage of this wine in the making. It matured in barrel for two years and no less than three in bottle. 30,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2019.$328.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The extremely affordable 2016 Viña Real Gran Reserva Especial recovers the "Especial" mention from the old Reserva Especial vintages from a very good year. It's a classical Rioja Alavesa blend of 95% Tempranillo with 5% Graciano from their own vineyards. It's open and expressive, with notes of berries, fresh blood and iron, orange peel and sweet spices with the oak still present and in need of some more time in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied and feels lean and serious, with abundant chalky tannins. This should be a classical vintage of this wine in the making. It matured in barrel for two years and no less than three in bottle. 30,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2019.$194.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (92)
(90% tempranillo, with equal parts garnacha, mazuelo and graciano): Deep ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, vanilla and dried flowers. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering vibrant red and dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. The floral quality comes back strong on the very long, smoke-tinged finish, which features a suave spicecake quality and even tannins.$236.00 -
(6x75cl) 2015$1,010.00

