05/11/2026 - NEW: C.V.N.E. Viña Real Gran Reserva 2019 - “A textbook V

“Viña Real represents the tradition of the Rioja Alavesa, with a more fleshy, roundness and powerful profile. This means, Viña Real is not the small brother of anyone. He is a big brother by himself.”
- Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate

CVNE's Vina Real Gran Reserva is without question one of the very best value fine wine releases every year, and the new 2019 continues the streak. The 2019 is a rich and intense wine, brimming with bright fruit which seems to shine through the oak, which is very much in the background this year. Black olive and balsamic notes in the midpalate lead onto a finish full of fresh herbs, dark and red fruits and a distinct minerality. Whilst the 2018 last year was asking to be drunk now, the 2019 is more brooding, and will benefit from patience. The tannins are already soft and melting in the mouth, but there is also considerable structure which should see the wine age for many years - it is no secret that both the 1947 and 1959 vintages of Vina Real were awarded perfect 100 point scores on the Wine Advocate, and are still drinking phenomenally.

Vina Real Gran Reserva continues to fly largely under the radar, but it is very challenging to find a wine that offers this level of complexity, structure, and intensity, at under £150 per case. However, CVNE continues to produce this wine with absolutely no compromise, and, the 2019 is now the 5th vintage in a row to which they have added the word ‘Especial’ on the label, meaning that it is the Gran Reserva you would expect, with all of the same ageing, but from another truly remarkable vintage. In the case of the 2019, i would say this has produced the most serious of the last 5 Especial vintages and i would definitely recommend it for your cellar.

This is unquestionably the perfect choice for those looking for a truly classic Rioja Gran Reserva that can rub shoulders with the best fine wines, but at a price that won't make you think twice about pulling the cork at anything other than a special occasion.

CVNE Viña Real Gran Reserva Selección Especial 2019, Rioja, 6x750ml

£140.00 In Bond

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3x150cl - £160 IB
1x3000cl - £140 IB
1x5000cl - £260 IB

“The 2019 Viña Real Gran Reserva, which wears the subtitle Selección Especial, was produced with grapes from vineyards in the villages of Laguardia, Elciego and Labastida, picked between September 23rd and October 12th, mostly Tempranillo with 5% Graciano. Moved by gravity to the cellar, the grapes fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in barrels for 24 months and no less than 36 months in bottle. This feels super harmonious, with the elements of this wine—structure, power, fine tannins, some developed aromas of sous-bois and perhaps olives and a touch of graphite—coming through as mineral and deep. It's a textbook Viña Real Gran Reserva and a worthy follow-up to the extraordinary 2018. It comes in at 13.9% alcohol, with a pH of 3.55 and 5.8 grams of acidity. 30,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2022. They will not make this wine in 2023, but the following years will be 2020, 2021 and 2022.”
95 points, Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, Mar 2026

“Pristine and precise on the nose with fresh dark cherries and wet stones, this has medium body and evenly packed fruit. Effortless. Taut and firm with very good structure and etched, mineral-driven tannins. A little introverted at the moment, but it will shine. Better from 2028.”
95 points, James Suckling, James Suckling, Oct 2025

“The 2019 Gran Reserva Viña Real is 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano, which aged for 24 months in new and second-year French and American oak barrels. Garnet in hue, it opens with menthol, red fruit, black olive tapenade and graphite while oak sits in the background. The palate is juicy and tense, with slight grip and a hint of confectionery sweetness. Long-lasting and flavorful, this has a traditional Rioja feel with a modern edge.”
94 points, Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, May 2025

“The Sonsierra villages of Elciego, Labastida and Laguardia supply the grapes for this assemblage of Tempranillo and 5% Graciano. Serious, focused and dense, as the Viña Real wines tend to be, this has aromas of mountain herbs, liquorice and toast and a compact, acid-driven, black-fruited palate”
94 points, Tim Atkin, Tim Atkin, Feb 2025

CVNE, Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (the Northern Spanish Wine Company), was founded in 1879 in the town of Haro in Rioja. CVNE was founded by two brothers and today is still controlled by the direct descendants of the founding family. Since its inception, CVNE has been focused on the production and aging of wines and now comprises of four wineries: CVNE, Imperial, Viña Real and Contino

Launched in the 1920s, Viña Real became known for pioneering wines from the Rioja Alavesa. A careful balance between tradition and modernity has defined Viña Real’s ethos ever since. The Viña Real Gran Reserva is exceptional value for money, a high scoring wine which can age for decades but is ready drink on release. Luis Gutierrez of Wine Advocate scoring the 1959 vintage 100 points in a vertical tasting held in 2015 is a great example of the potential that Viña Real Gran Reserva has. Luis also recently awarded the 1947 Viña Real Gran Reserva Especial a perfect 100 points in a recent tasting comparing Rioja and Bordeaux from 1947. Clearly this wine can age for a very long time!

Also available immediately from stock are the 2015 and 2016 Gran Reserva Especial: