2007 Vina Real Gran Reserva

Brilliant ruby-red. Smoke- and mineral-accented aromas of dark berry preserves, dried cherry, pipe tobacco, vanilla and incense. Stains the palate with intense blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. Packs a serious punch but comes off as lithe and precise, finishing with strong cut and length and silky tannins that come up slowly.

Tempranillo, Graciano. Very old established winery (1920) and one of the first to produce quality wine in Laguardia (Rioja Alavesa). Pumping over and délestage. 36 months’ ageing in American and French oak. Rioja integrated style. Very adequate fruit intensity for a Gran Reserva, it has cassis, cedar and vanilla aromas. Not particularly classic, with very pleasant fresh red fruit on the plate. Soft, delicate and well balanced. Pleasant wine, well made and not a common style. (FC)

The 2007 Gran Reserva is mostly Tempranillo with a little Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo fermented in inox. The nose displays abundant notes of red fruit intermixed with more complex and developed aromas of leather, raw meat, cloves and nutmeg. It has some grainy tannins, with good acidity, and comes through as easy to drink, straightforward, perhaps a little bit thin in the palate for a Vina Real Gran Reserva. A Gran Reserva to enjoy now. Drink 2014-2022. Vina Real is now a separate winery in Rioja Alavesa and not just a brand belonging to CVNE. 90% of the total production of the winery (one million liters) is bottled as Crianza. It’s a wine that is bottled continuously in different lots until the vintage is finished and then the winemaker starts bottling the next one. Imported by Europvin USA, Van Nuys, CA; www.europvin.com