CVNE Vina Real Especial Gran Reserva Rioja 2016

Collectors! Savvy hunters and hoarders of the best of the best classics! THIS is the day to swoop down like a vineyard redtail hawk and snap up a few bottles of this…wait for it…LEGENDARY Spanish standard-bearer: (saying it loud for those in the back)… C.V.N.E.! GRAN RESERVA. 95 POINTS! A heart-pounding 40% OFF! Yahoo! 

Rioja, baby! Fantastic producer and killer scores aside, 2016 is a monumentally terrific vintage for the region, one that Wine Enthusiast says “will go down as one of its all-time greats.” All of that combined here in bottle for an experience to elevate the senses and an absolute MUST HAVE for serious lovers of tempranillo!!!

C.V.N.E. (often spelled/pronounced "Cune") stands for "Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana" (The Northern Spanish Wine Company) and dates back to a winemaking cooperative in 1879. As traditionalists of Rioja note, little has changed since that time – both at the winery and stylistically with the wines. We assure you, that’s a good thing! CVNE is among the MOST revered Rioja producers – in our book, they make the big three, alongside Muga and La Rioja Alta, for the very tip-top butterscotch best in Rioja. That is some seriously stellar company, and at the sort of price we managed here…this is no-brainer stuff, folks! 

Coming in at 95% tempranillo with 5% graciano, this is classic, old-school Rioja with succulent dark berries and cherries, zippy orange peel, heady spices, and cool, fresh herbs. Fantastic, savory, balanced, and fresh…with just the right amount of devil-may-care hedonism thrown in for good measure. The oak is integrating nicely for such a youthful wine (remember, gran reservas aren't released until 5 YEARS from harvest, so this is a baby, still!), and you can count on this beauty going all 12 rounds – at least 15 years plus! Structured tannins, lively acidity, power, and complexity with a rich and spicy finish that goes on FOREVER. Wowza! This is collectible, trophy-worthy, pride-of-place wine for your collection, nowhere near what such wines should cost! Not much to go around though, seriously, so do what you must and grab all you can before this deal rides off into the sunset.

While it lasts! RIOJA!!!