Tempranillo, Garnacha
75cl * Vegan * 13.5% ABV * Rioja, Spain
In the 1920s, CVNE became known for its range of pioneering Viña Real wines that struck a careful balance between tradition and modernity, combining New World fruit intensity with Old World style. For this reason, its Crianza remains one of Rioja's bestsellers. Lashings of ripe autumnal fruit sit underneath the toast and spice of American oak. An easy-drinking, mid-week red for tomato meatballs.
"The fruit-driven, ripe and heady 2019 Viña Real Crianza was produced with 90% Tempranillo and the rest between Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano from a vineyard in the Sonsierra zone (call it Rioja Alavesa if you like). It has 13.75% alcohol and a pH of 3.6 and is polished and easy to understand and like. It has plenty of tannins; it calls for food. The oak is soft and integrated. They produced 650,000 bottles of this wine, which is bottled in four different lots." 91 Points, The Wine Advocate