Cune Monopole 1952

Wine: Cune Monopole 1952
Winery: CVNE - Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Viura, 15% Malvasía Riojana & Garnacha Blanca, 5% Palomino Fino.
ABV: [Not specified]

Winemaking
Selection of old vines from various growers near Haro (Chiuri, Anguciana, Tirgo, Sajazarra). Whole-cluster fermentation (undestemmed) conducted in neutral oak vats and concrete tanks within the "El Carmen" cellar at the Haro estate. While precise aging data is unavailable, it is estimated at under 24 months, split between seasoned 225-liter American oak barriques and original fermentation vats. Notably, 5% of Palomino Fino (already vinified as Manzanilla from Emilio Hidalgo) was added just prior to bottling.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Golden-yellow hue, remarkably clear given its age. It displays reddish and orange glints with a significant sense of viscosity and extremely fine legs.

 

Nose: Exceptional power dominated by a balsamic character: fennel, honey-eucalyptus drops, lemon blossom, and ivy. The bouquet is highly metamorphic, evolving towards candied fruit, quince, and honeycombs, underpinned by solera nuances, dried fruits, and very soft toasted hints. It is an utterly disconcerting and non-traditional profile that continues to expand, revealing exotic spices (turmeric) and forest floor as it breathes.

 

Palate: Full-bodied and creamy on the palate, yet profoundly "bone-dry." It shows striking saline and pungent notes—clearly influenced by the Manzanilla addition—supported by a massive, "brutal" acidity. This white leans more towards the ethereal freshness of the historic Viña Sole than traditional oily Rioja reservas. It reveals subtle reductive "rancio" notes, toasted honey, and a concentrated, everlasting bitter finish. Pure liquid history.

 

Personal Score: 97
Tasting Group Score: 95