When you think of Spain and Rioja you probably think of a hot climate and big red wines. Today I opened two wines from CVNE, their Cune Reserva 2017 and Cune Gran Reserva 2015, and they both have a light touch upon first opening. There was some change with time exposed to air, but what was even a bigger factor was the temperature of the wine. My wine storage unit is set to 14 degree C. I noticed that as the wines warmed up in the glass the wines had more red fruit flavours and were smoother. Let me tell you about them.
My Wine Tasting Notes
CVNE Cune Reserva 2017 (BC $37.98)
A blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% mix of Garnacha Tinta, Graciano and Mazuelo. Winemaking notes, “…The grapes for the production of Cune Reserva come from the company’s Caballeros, Santo Tomás and Sarnamoros estates, all located in Rioja Alta in the towns of Rodezno, Villalba and Haro. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature in 20,000 kg stainless steel tanks where we alternate different types of remontage (traditional and pump), delestage and pigeage. After fermentation, the wine undergoes heat maceration and remains in the vat for approximately 18 months. Then, after malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels (partly new) and American barrels. The process continues for 24 months, during which the wine evolves, adopting the characteristic notes of the two types of wood. Following natural clarification, the second phase of ageing and balancing takes place. The wine remains in the bottle in our cellars for a minimum of 12 months before being released.”
Appearance: A deeper dull garnet colour. About 80% opaque.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of red fruit, toast, black cherries, red apple and touches of sweet spices and oak. About the same aromas with decanting with the addition of candied cherries.
Palate: Dry, medium-minus body, soft and smooth with a light mouthfeel. The wine does get a bigger mouthfeel with some air. Light cherries and red fruit flavours, plus touches of oak, leather, floral, and candied cherries. Also a slight mineral edge. Light fine tannins and medium acidity. The wine moves up to medium body is rounder and has a thicker mouthfeel with decanting. I picked up dark fruit flavours, but those gave way to red fruit flavours as the wine warmed in the glass.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing softly, with red fruits, some tartness and pepperiness and slightly firmer tannins. A firmer finish and more peppery after decanting. Dark fruit flavours lead to red fruits and cherries as the wine warmed up in the glass and exposed to more air.
An understated wine, that has an overall light touch. The temperature of the wine is important. You get more red fruit aromas and flavours as the temperature increases. Decanted or not, is ok.
Rating: 
– 
A deeper dull garnet colour. Red fruit flavours are primarily on the nose with touches of sweet spices and oak. Medium-bodied, soft and smooth with a lighter mouthfeel. Cherries and red fruit flavours, along with some oak and floral. Medium-plus length.
CVNE Cune Gran Reserva 2015 (BC $47.98)
A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo. The vines are 45 years old on average, head-trained and south and east facing, while the soils are clayey with pebbles. Malolactic fermentation takes place in concrete tanks and, after 24 months of ageing in American and French oak barrels, the wine is clarified and bottled. It is then kept for at least 36 months in their cellars.
Appearance: A medium-intensity dull garnet colour, about 70% opaque.
Nose: A very light-intensity nose with aromas of red fruit, oak, toast, plum and black liquorice. The aromas were more closed with decanting after 24 hrs. It may need another 24 hrs to open. This happens sometimes with wine.
Palate: This wine is dry, smooth and soft with a light mouthfeel. Lower acidity and medium intensity tannins. Red fruit, black cherries, and touches of candied cherries, floral and oak flavours. Medium body, thicker and rounder with decanting. More dark fruit flavours to start but then turns to red fruit flavours with time in the glass.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with slightly firmer drying tannins, a mix of tart red fruit and candied cherries, some sweetness and pepperiness. More dark fruits and a drier tannic finish. As the wine stayed in the glass then there were more red fruit flavours.
Another understated wine with red fruit aromas and flavours. Decanting makes stronger tannins and brings out some dark fruit flavours. I prefer the undecanted version.
Rating: – A medium-intensity garnet colour. This wine has light aromas of red fruits, oak, toast, plum and black liquorice. It is smooth and soft, with medium tannins. Red fruits, cherries, floral and oak flavours. Medium-plus length.
Steak Pairing
I did try these two wines with a bbq striploin steak. The Cune Reserva 2017 has more fruit flavour on the palate and made a nicer pairing with the grill, salt, and fatty flavours from the steak.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines are available at Everything Wine stores:
