CVNE Vina Real Gran Reserva 2016/2017

This dark ruby-colored wine offers a nose of black cherry, black currant, vanilla and anisette. Well balanced tannins and acidity support flavors of dark red berries, butterscotch, dark chocolate and a hint of violet. Luxurious tannins settle in and slowly dissolve into a lingering finish.

The 2017 Viña Real Gran Reserva is a classical Rioja Alavesa blend of 95% Tempranillo with 5% Graciano from their own vineyards. It matured in new and used barrels for two years and was racked every four months and no less than three in bottle. It has 13.95% alcohol, a pH of 3.54 and six grams of acidity. This is a textbook Gran Reserva; perhaps this year it shows a faster evolution, with notes of olives, with hints of mint, ripe but with acidity. It has a polished palate with fine-grained tannins and a very pleasant tactile sensation. It's ready but should also last.

Firm and well-knit, with flavors of baked black raspberry and plum, fresh earth and pretty accents of violet and licorice enmeshed with sculpted tannins. Long and firm on the spiced finish. Tempranillo and Graciano.