Rioja Gran Reserva, Cune

Score

92

"CVNE still buys half of the grapes they vinify, but they now use 100% of their own grapes for the 2014 Cune Gran Reserva. From a challenging year with abundant rains during the harvest, it's approximately 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo (Cariñena), a classical blend with 13.5% alcohol. It fermented in stainless steel and concrete vats with indigenous yeasts followed by malolactic in concrete and élevage in American and French oak barrels for 24 months. The bottles are kept for at least three years before they are sold. It's quite austere and serious, with a shy nose and a backward personality but with the sweet spices and the character of the traditional Gran Reservas. The palate is polished and balanced, with very fine and abundant tannins. It's a powerful Gran Reserva with some youth. It transcends the difficult harvest. 75,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2017."

Score

91

"Woodsy raspberry and currant aromas are dry and distant, while this gran reserva from a difficult vintage feels solid and gets the job done. Toast, coffee and wood spice notes accent raspberry and plum flavors, while a steady finish is dry feeling and tastes lightly spiced. The future is now for this. Drink through 2023. "

Score

92

"Aromas of plum and meat with a wet earth and hints of cedar. Medium body, very fine tannins. Juicy and delicious now. Not a big wine but ready and savory. Drink now."

Score

92

"Deep, bright-rimmed ruby. Highly perfumed red fruit, potpourri, pipe tobacco, vanilla and coconut aromas, along with hints of star anise, cola and woodsmoke. Offers intense redcurrant, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air while maintaining vivacity. Finishes very long, smooth and appealingly sweet, showing excellent definition, sneaky tannins and a late jolt of smoky minerality."

Score

92