Vina Real Rioja Crianza 2017

C.V.N.E.

Vina Real Rioja Crianza
2017

Country
Spain
Regulated designation
Denominación de origen calificada (DOCa)
Region
La Rioja
Subregion
Alavesa
Appellation
Rioja
Classification
Crianza
Varietal(s)
Tempranillo 90 %
Graciano 5 %
Grenache 5 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Sugar content
1.7 g/l
Producer's website

About this winery

Founded in 1879 by the brothers Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asua, the Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España is one of the oldest estates in La Rioja. C.V.N.E. is located in Haro, in the traditional wine trade district, next to the train station. In this period when transport was not very advanced, there was a definite advantage in locating your cellar very close to a train station! By 1900, this company had more than 80,000 bottles intended for prolonged aging, which was rare at that time...

See the C.V.N.E. detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

This wine was produced from grapes harvested by hand in the Rioja Alavesa region and produced in Viña Real.

Production notes

Aging in French and American oak barrels for 13 to 14 months.

Tasting notes

Cherry red color. The nose shows aromas of fresh fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, complemented by spicy, toasted and balsamic notes. The palate is structured, round and full-bodied with tannins. Pair with paella, stewed meats and cheeses such as Manchego.

Press reviews

James Suckling

- 93 points -

James Suckling, September 2022 (Vintage 2019)

High-toned, floral aromas with orange peel and crushed blackberries. Medium-bodied with tight, chewy tannins that are polished and intense. Serious length and focus. Vegan. Very drinkable now, but even better in 2024.

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James Suckling

- 93 points -

James Suckling, November 2020 (Vintage 2017)

A Rioja with plum, blackberry, black truffle and hints of chocolate. Some walnut, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.

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Vinous

- 92 points -

Josh Raynolds, April 2021 (Vintage 2018)

Deep ruby. Spicy red fruit preserve and potpourri scents are complicated by suggestions of vanilla, licorice and mocha. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering sweet raspberry and cherry cola flavors that are sharpened by a snap of juicy acidity. Lively and penetrating on the gently tannic finish, which leaves floral pastille and smoky mineral notes behind.

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Wine Advocate

- 91 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, July 2022 (Vintage 2019)

The fruit-driven, ripe and heady 2019 Viña Real Crianza was produced with 90% Tempranillo and the rest between Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano from a vineyard in the Sonsierra zone (call it Rioja Alavesa if you like). It has 13.75% alcohol and a pH of 3.6 and is polished and easy to understand and like. It has plenty of tannins; it calls for food. The oak is soft and integrated. They produced 650,000 bottles of this wine, which is bottled in four different lots.

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Wine Spectator

- 91 points -

July 2019 (Vintage 2016)

This red is dense and focused, with cherry, berry and vanilla flavors that emerge as the tannins give way, leading to a floral and spicy finish. Drink now through 2031

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Wine Advocate

- 91 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, June 2019 (Vintage 2016)

The bottle I tasted of the 2016 Viña Real Crianza is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano from Rioja Alavesa that fermented destemmed in stainless steel with neutral yeasts and matured in French and American oak barrels for 13 to 14 months, during which time it was racked every five or six months. It's expressive, deliciously aromatic, floral and elegant, reflecting a cool year that delivered fresh wines that seem to be very approachable early on. 2016 is a pretty vintage, but this wine is not banal; it has depth and complexity that's remarkable for the price point. The palate is fresh and balanced, with fine tannins.

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Vinous

- 90 points -

Josh Raynolds, April 2021 (Vintage 2017)

Opaque ruby. Cherry, dark berries, pungent flowers and spices on the fragrant nose. Round and open-knit, offering juicy blackberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that take a sweeter turn with air. Finishes with slowly building tannins, repeating florality and very good, vaguely smoky persistence.

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Wine Advocate

91+ Points

Luis Gutiérrez, October 2020 (Vintage 2017)

The popular red 2017 Viña Real Crianza is a gastronomical blend produced with grapes from Rioja Alavesa: 90% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented in stainless steel and matured in oak barrels for 13 to 14 months, during which time it was racked every five to six months. The first thing that is going to catch your attention is the new label, which takes things from the past but put in a new, more modern style, which also reflects what the wine is like. The Viña Real range (white, rosé and Reserva) is gradually going to adopt this same label but with the letters in different colors. The second thing that I also loved is the Garnacha character that clearly comes through, even if it represents a small percentage in the final blend (Garnacha and Graciano like heat and do well in warmer years). The oak is nicely folded and integrated into the fruit. Very enjoyable and fresh, in line with what consumers expect but with an extra spark of red fruit that is quite remarkable for the 2017 vintage. The palate is textured, fine and polished, with very fine tannins and high drinkability. I think this is one of the Crianzas that I have enjoyed the most in recent times. I love it. Remarkable for a year like 2017

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