Compañia Vinícola del Norte de España Cune Rioja Crianza 2021 750ml

A spicy rendition of Cune crianza, but as always this is fruity, with lots of cherries, plums and a touch of white pepper. Juicy and bright, with some restrained fruit sweetness. Very fine-grained, juicy and consistent. Drink now.

The 2021 Cune Crianza is a classical blend of Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha and Mazuelo from Rioja Alta that fermented in 20,000-liter stainless steel vats and matured in used American and a small portion of French oak barrels for 12 months. It has a creamy nose with notes of wild berries and an herbal touch that delivers freshness. It was bottled with 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.61 and 5.4 grams of acidity. It's approachable and harmonious, has very fine tannins and is easy to drink and fresh but with some grip. They produced three million bottles. It was bottled in October 2024.

This is tarry on the nose before revealing black cherry and mulberry fruit on the palate. Medium-bodied, with light, chewy tannins and fragrant accents of wild herb and smoked paprika. Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. Drink now. 375,000 cases made, 15,000 cases imported.