Viña Real 1966 Gran Reserva

Wine: Viña Real 1966 Gran Reserva

Winery: CVNE - Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha
ABV: 13%
Winemaking

The wine spent 12 months in oak vats to complete malolactic fermentation and settle before racking. It was kemudian matured for 60 months in semi-new 225-liter barrels (70% American oak and 30% French oak). Depending on the vintage, it remained in the bottle for between 48 and 100 months in the winery’s underground cellars prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: It maintains remarkable color stability; reddish with medium-high depth, bright, and very clean. It shows luminous pomegranate and copper highlights, with a broad, tawny (tile-red) rim. 

 

Nose: Upon opening, the wine appears completely muted—silent. However, it awakens within five minutes and accelerates incessantly. Aromas of concentrated red fruit emerge: strawberry tree fruit (madroño), pomegranate, petals, withered flowers, and sun-dried tomato. A true spectacle! It evolves with hints of cigar wrapper, clove, fine woods, cedar, toasted cocoa, and an earthy background of shaded forest floor and truffles. Subtle and elegant, with a trail of classic aging reminiscent of cigar humidors, aged leather, and sage.

 

Palate: The best part is the palate. Silky, fresh, and concentrated; slightly toasty with tannins that are present and incredibly lively. Everything flows with ease, filled with freshness and mature red fruit, supported by a fantastic acidity and a breadth that continuously expands until the very last glass. Pure class! Exceptionally long finish. A monumental wine from CVNE that shines on its own merit, even though it has historically sat in the shadow of the legendary Viña Real bottlings from an unrepeatable late decade (1964, 1968, and 1970). This vintage has little to nothing to envy and stands on par with any of its peers. The expectations when opening a 1960s Imperial or Viña Real are always at the highest level. What incredible wines!

 

Personal Score: 95
Tasting Group Score: 95