Happy Friday to you all. I adore the great houses of Rioja and can’t wait to visit later this year. One of the famed houses in Rioja, CVNE is one of the long-standing family-run businesses in the region. Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España is a family winery which was founded in 1879 in Haro, La Rioja, Spain. It belongs to the DOCa Rioja Rioja. Since 1879, CVNE has at all times belonged to the direct descendants of the Real de Asua family.

Current brands include CVNE, Vina Real and Contino, all of which punch above their weight class. The wines that I sampled were gorgeous coming from the 2015 vintage that saw a hot and dry growing season. Rioja deemed this a ‘very good’ growing season.

I loved the 2015 CUNE Rioja Reserve (OB, 92) which is dense, chewy and full of warm vintage red fruit character with lovely orange rind tones. Learn more about this famed house at

2015 CUNE Rioja Reserva- The 2015 CUNE ‘Reserva’ is an outstanding value from this famed house founded back in 1879. A blend of 85% Tempranillo with the reminder Graciano and Mazuelo, this shows off pretty red cherry and red raspberry tones alongside minerals and blood orange zest on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has another decade or more to go. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2015 Vina Real Rioja Reserva- The gorgeous 2015 Vina Real ‘Reserva’ is also 85% Tempranillo with smaller parts Mazuelo and Graciano. Fresh and vibrant, with silky tannins, this has good weight but shows restraint as well. Ripe red fruits collide with damp earth, orange rind and shades of cardamom on the palate. This is just a glorious effort that will cellar well for more than a decade to come. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2015 Contino Rioja Reserva- The 2015 Contino ‘Reserva’ is dense and inky once in the glass. Sandalwood and wild mushroom tones mingle with minerals, smoke and black licorice on the palate. The length here is exceedingly good. Glorious in its youth, this both the weight and acidity to go for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 93