CVNE : Real de Asúa "Carromaza" 2020

A rich red in a supple, harmonious frame, with flavors of black plum and bitter cherry reduction, espresso, smoke and herbed olive enlivened by citrusy acidity. Long though tightly meshed today, with taut, fine-grained tannins firming the finish. Best from 2025 through 2033. 250 cases made, 50 cases imported.

A re-creation of the former Real de Asúa by CVNE, a wine that pays homage to the region and family tradition. A selection from the Carromaza old-vine vineyard. It is highly representative of top Rioja, intensely aromatic in black fruits and sweet spice, deep, revealing its elegance little by little and demanding attention. Powerful and dense on the palate, with a refined backdrop. The finish shows both restraint and openness. It is clear that this wine needs many years in bottle to reach its full potential. A great pleasure now and, I would say, a most interesting investment.

Such purity and clarity to the wine with blackberries, blackcurrants, violets and orange peel. Medium to full body and fine tannins. Polished, bright, vivid and agile. Powdery tannins with wonderful length and finesse. Savory, too. Give it three to four years of bottle age.

The 2020 Real de Asua Carromaza is 100% Tempranillo from the single-vineyard Carromaza plot. It was aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it offers up expressive scents of plum preserves, blackberry pie, and chocolate-covered cherries, with hints of black olives, tar, espresso, and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied palate is chock full of earthy/savory flavors with a chewy texture and lively acidity to support the generous fruit, finishing long and minerally. Approximately 1,200 cases were made.