Rioja Crianza, Cune

Score

89

"The red 2017 Cune Crianza is a wine they have always produced (though it used to be sold as Tercer Año [third year], as it was sold the third year after the harvest). It has the classical blend of Tempranillo with around 15% Garnacha and Mazuelo from the Rioja Alta zone and was fermented in 20,000-liter stainless steel tanks at 25–27 degrees Celsius to keep the fruit character in the wine. It matured in used American oak barrels for one year. They produce three million bottles of this throughout the year. It's classical but has some juicy sapidity, clean with very fine tannins and defined flavors. A triumph over the conditions of the vintage. Production was lower than the previous vintage because of the frost, but that also meant all grapes for this wine were handpicked, as nobody harvested with machines."

Score

93

"Polished and transparent with blueberries and hints of mushrooms and dried flowers. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and focused. One for now or later. Always excellent. Drink or hold."

Score

92

"This is the kind of brisk, savory red that sets Rioja apart, especially when you can catch it for $15 a bottle. Michael Kowalski of Miraval Berkshires in Lenox, Mass., described the savory mix of fruit as tart red cherry, celery leaf and pomegranate. You might also find a sweet earthy note of fruity black mushrooms, all of it coming together in a tense, floral red with more generosity than anyone has a right to expect at the price."

Score

90

"The red 2016 Cune Crianza is an affordable and classical blend of Tempranillo with some 15% Garnacha and Mazuelo that is easy to drink and understand, with a soft palate and an approachable profile. It has a bright nose with red fruit rather than black, quite aromatic and expressive. The palate is soft and approachable, very easy to drink, with a touch of freshness. They produced a whopping 4.5 million bottles of this! The bottle I tasted was bottled in April 2019 after 12 months in barrique. There are eight different lots of this wine that are bottled throughout the year, for which they try to make the most homogeneous blend possible, but some variation is inevitable. But the overall quality of this year is certainly higher than the previous one."

Score

90

"Black cherry, red plum, licorice and smoke flavors mingle in this round red. Shows good density, while orange peel acidity and light tannins keep this focused. Drink now through 2028. 375,000 cases made, 10,000 cases imported. "

Score

90

"Berry, spice and tobacco aromas work in unison to give this Crianza a nice start. A firm palate avoids jamminess and shows grip. Dark plum, raspberry, spice and pepper flavors hold on through the finish. For everyday Rioja, there isn't much better than this."