An excellent introduction to the quality of C.V.N.E.’s wines; this Crianza is made from premium Rioja Alta grapes and shows classic touches of vanilla and spice, punching well above its weight.

A surprisingly aromatic nose with red fruits and liquorice, nicely balanced with the American oak flavours of vanilla, cocoa and caramel.

Harvest 2016 was very unusual: a very late harvest date, characterized by good weather and high temperatures, which provided excellent conditions for tasty, healthy and very clean fruit of good quality, colour and structure.

Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The wine was then aged in American oak for 1 year.

C.V.N.E., or to give it its full name, Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (The Northern Spanish Wine Company) was established on the 24th of March 1879 in Haro, Rioja. Set up by two brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asúa, their aim was to capitalise on the flourishing new trade in wine.

C.V.N.E. is based in Haro's traditional neighbourhood of the train station, in the heart of the Rioja wine region. Historically, some of the oldest wineries of Rioja Alta established themselves here in order to benefit from the ease of transport via rail to the port of Bilbao, the most efficient form of transport in those days.

By 1900, the winery had an extraordinary ageing capacity of 80,000 bottles, which was most unusual at the time, as most wineries sold their wines as soon as possible.

C.V.N.E. is still controlled by the direct descendants of the founding family. Now in its fifth generation, the company has been quoted on the Madrid stock exchange since 1997.

C.V.N.E. farms half of its grape crush. The remainder is purchased from long term growers. With three wineries in the region; Cune, Viña Real and Contino the winemakers have control over quality from vineyard to bottle.