A splurge no more thanks to a great Costco price, the CVNE Cune Rioja Reserva.
85% Tempranillo and 15% Mazuelo, Graciano and Garnacha Tinta from Rioja Alta, Spain. The wine spent 18 months in 225L American and French oak barrels and another 18 months in bottle before release and has 2 g/L of residual sugar.
The Cune Reserva from C.V.N.E. has an SRP of $29 and typically is available for around $26 (the average price on wine-searcher). In fact the last time we covered it (the 2009 vintage) it was as a Saturday Splurge because it couldn't be found under $20 anywhere. Thus, huge kudos to Costco for making this available at just $13.99.
The wine is imported by Arano LLC and 4.5 million bottles were produced.
CVNE was founded in Haro in 1879. The company has been in the hands of the same family ever since.
Cune Reserva is produced mainly from handpicked Tempranillo grapes. It ages for a minimum of one year on French and American oak cask followed by further aging in bottle prior to its release.
14% Alcohol
The 2015 CVNE Cune Rioja Reserva (pronounced Coo-nay) begins with a very pleasing aroma of black cherry, licorice, leather, lots of vanilla, spice and more. Tasting the wine reveals great balance and structure with an excellent smooth texture. The flavors are similar to the nose but ripe, rich and juicy in the mouth. It has some nice touches of chocolate too.
This is really delicious and super drinkable right out the bottle but it has some nice aging ability as well. It ends dry, grippy, long, juicy and vanilla-laden. Stock up on this one! Not quite sure how Costco consistently does it with these amazing values on Rioja Reservas but I love it.
Ready to buy? See a listing of local retailers here.
You may also want to check out more of our favorite wines from Rioja.