CVNE Cune Vina Real Gran Reserva Especial 2016
(Rioja, Spain) - [JS 95] [WA 95] [WE 95]

The Story

In 1920 the first Viña Real wines were launched. These wines were produced from grapes grown around Elciego, in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa province. These vineyards, to this day are still controlled by Viña Real and continue to border the ‘Camino Real’ or ‘Royal Drive’; hence the origin of the Viña Real name. The Viña Real wines are modern in structure, balanced and elegant, with a potential for very long ageing in bottle, this last being the main characteristic of the Rioja Alavesa province. With its perfect blend of Cvne’s more than 125 years of tradition and expertise and the most innovative winemaking methods, Viña Real has established itself at the forefront of the wine industry

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - James Suckling:

"Attractive nose of dark cherries, dill, thyme, coconut and chocolate. Some salted caramel, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins and vibrant acidity. So balanced and fresh with a long, refined finish. 95% tempranillo and 5% graciano. Better from 2024." - JS (May 2022)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:

"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." - Luis Gutierrez (July 2022)