Rioja Cune - CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana 'Imperial' Gran Reserva, 2004 DOCa, Spain

The Bodega
Cune or C.V.N.E Compania Vinicola de Norte de Espana
The Cune Imperial Gran Reserva 2004 is Wine Spactator's wine of the year 2013 of over 20000 wines.

CVNE/Cune in Haro Spain

CVNE. The bodega was created in 1879 in Haro, Rioja, by two brothers from Bilbao (Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asúa) and a friend from Rioja (Isidro Corcuera). Originally called Corcuera, then Real de Asúa y Compañía, C.V.N.E is still managed by the descendants of the original owners from their base in Haro.

A few dates of particular interest in the history of CVNE. In 1880 the winery started exporting to Europe and America. Between 1890 and 1909 the winery underwent construction of a new cellar as an extension to the original winery. It was designed by none other than famed French architect Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel. It is still being used today to age the Imperial label (the bodega's flagship wine since the 1920s). In July 2004, King Juan Carlos I inaugurated the Viña Real winery at Laguardia (since this time it has been a separate company and winery). Finally, after almost 130 years since the company's creation, it is still being run by the same Family.

Größere Kartenansicht

Tasting Notes(download)
2004 CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana (PDF)
Imperial Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain.

2004 CUNE/CVNE Compania Vinicola
del Norte de Espana
'Imperial' Gran Reserva

Decanter:(Bottled October 2008) Deep young red, fine red fruits with some florality, expressive Tempranillo fruit with oak to round it out and good natural acidity, really good pure sweet middle and a firm finish to see it through to 2030. (17 points 20/05/2010)

"Wine of the Year" by WS in 2013 and I was not disappointed.
Dark ruby with purple crimson hue, very youthful appearance for a 10 years old wine. Expressive fruity nose, with dominance toasted vanilla oak, along with black and red fruits, blackberry and spice box.
Full and rich on entry, bright acidity gives a fresh mouth-feel, dark cherry, blackberry and powerful but integrating oak. This is lovely, intense yet elegant. Long aftertaste extend by lively acidity. This is a young and robust wine, utterly delicious at the moment but no doubt it has long life ahead. I wish I could own some but the recent award made the price unrealistic now.

Where to buy 2004 CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana 'Imperial' Gran Reserva?
Today it is very difficult to buy a Imperial Gran Reserva 2004. The price for a bottle 0.75l has a least doubled in the last month and there are just a few wine retailer to still stock this Cune/Cvne rioja of 2004. Here are the latest price development from wineowners.com

2004 CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana 'Imperial' Gran Reserva

Wine-Searcher Price Development

picture price Cune Imperia Gran Reserva 2004 by wine-searcher.com

Tasting Notes
(Bottled October 2008) Deep young red, fine red fruits with some florality, expressive Tempranillo fruit with oak to round it out and good natural acidity, really good pure sweet middle and a firm finish to see it through to 2030. (17 points)

20/05/2010

(Bottled October 2008) Deep young red, fine red fruits with some florality, expressive Tempranillo fruit with oak to round it out and good natural acidity, really good pure sweet middle and a firm finish to see it through to 2030. (17 points)

20/05/2010

Wine Advocate
The 2004 Imperial Gran Reserva is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Deep crimson-colored, it gives up aromas of toast, spice box, espresso, blackberry, and plum. Medium to full-bodied, on the palate it displays a plush texture, ripe flavors, excellent volume and concentration, and a relatively forward personality. It will be approachable in 2-3 years and will offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2024. Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana (C.V.N.E.) is known colloquially to most Spanish wine drinkers as Cune. The company was founded in 1879 by the Real de Asua brothers and still remains in control of their direct descendants. In the 1920s ownership started Vina Real and in 2004 a new winery was built in Laguardia. In 1973 Contino was created to further the concept of the single estate winery and has since been one of the principal leaders in the resurrection of the nearly extinct Graciano grape. The Contino wines are made exclusively from the estate’s 253 acres located in Laserna near the town of Laguardia. The Reserva bottling is the mainstay of the Contino lineup produced from vines ranging in age from 25 to 60 years. The Contino Vina Del Olivo is the product of a dry farmed single vineyard of the same name planted in 1980. The blend is 90% Tempranillo with the balance Graciano and Carinena aged in new oak for 18 months. The Imperial label is affixed at C.V.N.E. only in the top vintages. Wine Advocate

International Wine Cellar
Bright-rimmed ruby-red. Heady red and dark berry aromas are complicated by notes of mocha, Indian spices and vanillin oak, with a potent floral quality. Stains the palate with sweet cherry and mulberry flavors, picking up anise, cola and vanilla bean accents that build with air. Supple, sweet and expansive on the finish, which leaves smoke and cherry pastry notes behind. Josh Raynolds

cune imperial gran reserva 2004

Friday, March 14, 2014

2004 CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana 'Imperial' Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain

Rioja Cune - CVNE Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana 'Imperial' Gran Reserva, 2004 DOCa, Spain