A CVNE CUNE Monopole Blanco Seco and CUNE Crianza Red from Rioja

Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (the Northern Spanish Wine Company) CVNE was founded in 1879 in the town of Haro in Rioja, Spain by two brothers. I opened two bottles of wine I received. The first was CUNE Monopole White 2020 made from the Viura grape in Rioja; also known as Macabeo in other parts of Spain. This was the first white wine brand in Spain, presented in 1915. The other wine, a Rioja red, made primarily from the Tempranillo grape is the CUNE Crianza 2018. The wines in Spain are labelled based on years of ageing before release with Crianza wines having one year in oak barrel. Let me tell you about these two wines.

My Wine Tasting Notes

CUNE Monopole White 2020 (BC $26.98)

Appearance: A bright clear deeper lemon + gold colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity bright aromas of lemon and petrol with touches of apricots, pears, white blossoms and grape stem. Lighter aromas with decanting.
Palate: Dry and round, smooth with a thicker viscous mouthfeel. Medium-plus body. Pronounced flavours of citrus, apricot, and pears, plus touches of crisp apple, lime skin and petrol. A buttery mouthfeel. Medium body with decanting and not as mouth filling. Less petrol on the palate and now you pick up some stony minerality.
Finish: A medium length finishing with mouthwatering acidity. Citrus, lime skin, apricot and crisp apple. Light pepperiness and some drying tannins. Add pears and stoniness on the finish after decanting.

A refreshing, classy wine that tastes great with or without decanting. If you prefer lighter petrol aroma and flavour, give it a short decant. This wine went nicely with a slice of medium cheddar cheese.

Rating: – A classy wine with bright aromas of lemon, some stone fruits and petrol. Medium body, with a smooth waxy mouthfeel. Stone fruits, plus citrus and crisp apple and a touch of petrol. Medium length.

CUNE Monopole White 2020 and CUNE Crianza 2018 with wines in glasses

CUNE Crianza 2018 (BC $27.98)

This wine is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, and 5% Mazuelo.

Appearance: A deeper, clear-to-the-core, garnet colour. About 60% opaque.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of red fruit, red cherries, candied red cherries, and touches of sweet spice, vanilla and cedar. No change to the aromas with decanting.
Palate: Dryish, medium body, smooth and round, almost mouth-filling. Medium tannins and acidity. Bright flavours of red fruit, berries, raspberries, black cherries and black plums, plus a touch of oak and minerality. Not much change to the flavours with decanting, other than you now get some nutmeg spice and then blackberries toward the finish.
Finish: A medium-plus length with lingering flavours of red and black cherries, raspberries, light oak and medium drying tannins. There is a touch of pepperiness on the finish with decanting.

Decant or not does not make much difference, but the decanted version is a little lighter on the palate. This wine also made a nice pairing with medium cheddar cheese.

Rating: – Lighter aromas of red fruits, cherries and sweet spices. Medium-bodied, smooth and round with red fruits, black plums and cherries on the palate. Medium tannins and acidity. Medium length.