CVNE : Viña Real Gran Reserva 2017

Tasting characteristics and advice for Viña Real Gran Reserva 2017 by CVNE

Tasting

Color
The color shows a vivid, bright ruby red, with garnet highlights at the rim of the glass, reflecting fine maturity while retaining remarkable color intensity.

Nose
The nose is elegant and intense, first revealing spicy notes, followed by aromas of cocoa, vanilla and fine oak. Fragrances of ripe fruit add an approachable, generous dimension, while hints of licorice, olives and mint bring added complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate
The palate offers a smooth, creamy attack, developing into a broad, fleshy structure. The noble tannins, perfectly polished and integrated, provide a pleasant, silky mouthfeel. Fresh acidity brings vibrancy without harshness, while the finish stands out for its remarkable length and aromatic persistence, confirming the character and personality of this great wine.

Food and wine pairings
This Viña Real Gran Reserva 2017 is an ideal match for grilled red meats, especially lamb and beef. It also pairs perfectly with game in all its forms, oily fish prepared with rich sauces, as well as aged cheeses with pronounced flavors.

Serving and cellaring
Viña Real Gran Reserva 2017 can be enjoyed now, while also offering excellent aging potential, allowing it to continue to evolve gracefully for many years to come.

A classic Gran Reserva from Rioja Alavesa by CVNE

The estate
Founded in 1879 in Haro by brothers Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asúa, CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) has established itself as one of Spain’s most prestigious wine houses. Now run by the fifth generation of the family, with Victor Urrutia Ybarra as CEO since 2003, the estate oversees eight properties across Spain’s leading wine regions. From the outset, CVNE has stood out for its commitment to excellence, earning numerous international medals, and continues to combine tradition and innovation, notably through its pioneering commitment to sustainability.

The vineyard
The grapes for Viña Real Gran Reserva 2017 come from plots located in Rioja Alavesa, between 500 and 650 meters in altitude, in the areas of Laguardia, Elciego and Labastida. The vines, trained in the traditional gobelet system without irrigation, are planted on limestone soils poor in organic matter, with clay and iron-rich components. These south-facing hillside terroirs benefit from a Mediterranean climate tempered by Atlantic influences, sheltered by the Sierra de Cantabria. The parcels, often terraced, are home to vines over thirty years old, producing grapes of exceptional quality.

The vintage
The 2017 vintage enjoyed particularly favorable weather conditions throughout the growing season. Meticulous vineyard management preserved an excellent sanitary state of the grapes, resulting in a harvest that was both qualitatively and quantitatively superior to the two previous vintages.

Vinification and aging
After a selective hand harvest of the finest berries, Viña Real Gran Reserva 2017 underwent cold pre-fermentation maceration for 24 hours. Alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks between 28 and 30°C, using indigenous yeasts. Successive pump-overs and rack-and-return operations helped optimize extraction. Malolactic fermentation took place in French and American oak barrels. The wine was then aged for 24 months in new and second-use barrels, with regular manual rackings. After clarification, the wine was aged for a minimum of three years in bottle before release.

Grape varieties
Tempranillo (95%)
Graciano (5%)