Tuesday, March 4th

The Fabled Rioja Wines of Cune

With special guest, Eva Benito P�rez

Head Winemaker for the Vi�a Real Winery

6:30pm - 8:00 pm

A free tasting

 

CVNE (Cune) is one of the most renowned and historic bodegas in all of Spain. Founded in 1879 by the Real de As�a brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo, the company has been an integral part of the Rioja region's ascendance in the world of fine wine. With their combination of traditional roots and innovative vision, Cune has been one of Rioja's most reliable sources for high quality wine. The company is still run by descendants of the Real de As�a brothers, now represented by the fifth generation with current CEO Victor Urrutia Ybarra.

 

Since its founding, Cune's goal has been to increase the scope of production while maintaining the level of quality on which their reputation was built. Forty years after the original bodega was created, Cune expanded into the Alavesa region. Today, Cune is comprised of three separate bodegas: Cune, Vi�a Real, and Contino. Each of the three estates produces a distinct style of wine from a distinct terroir, and each of their flagship bottlings occupies a well-deserved place in the pantheon of great Spanish wine.

 

Joining us this evening will be Eva Benito P�rez, head winemaker for the Vi�a Real winery, located in the Rioja Alavesa region of Rioja, Spain. She has trained in France at the Cooperative of L'origine des Vignerons du Pays d'Ens�rune and in Australia at Yering Station, Yarra Valley, in addition to wineries in Spain. She worked the Alesanco Cooperativein Rioja, Our Lady of Romero Cooperative in Cascante and Los Arcos in Navarra. She joined Vi�a Real in June 2007. Eva holds a degree in Agrigultural Engineering from The Universidad P�blica de Navarra (Public University of Navarra) as well as a degree in Enology from the University of La Rioja.

 

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THE WINES:

 

2012 Cune Monopole Blanco Rioja

$13.99 a bottle

By Josh Raynolds

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 13

88 points

(all viura): Pale yellow. Ripe pear and melon on the deeply scented nose. Smooth and seamless on the palate, offering plump orchard fruit flavors and a touch of bitter lemon pith. Finishes with firm grip and cut, leaving a citrusy note behind.

 

2010 Cune Crianza

$12.99 a bottle

Wine Advocate #210, Dec 2013

Luis Gutierrez 90 points

The 2010 Cune Crianza, in a similar fashion to its 2011 sibling, is extremely aromatic, with clean raspberry aromas and the benefit of one more year in bottle, which provided it with some more complexity in the form of dried roses and sweet spice notes. The palate is velvety, really easy to drink, with clean flavors and good persistence. I liked it better than the 2011. It's superb for its price tag!

 

2009 Cune Vina Real Crianza

$15.99 a bottle

Wine Advocate #202, Aug 2012

Robert Parker 91 points

Another sensational value is the 2009 Rioja Vina Real Crianza. Made from 90% Tempranillo blended with other authorized varietals, this effort comes from vineyards in the foothills of Sierra Cantabria. Exceptionally ripe with a dark ruby/purple color, excellent texture, and outstanding concentration, length and equilibrium, this is one of the finest value-priced Riojas in the marketplace. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years.

 

2009 Cune Rioja Reserva

$22.99 a bottle

By Josh Raynolds

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 13

91 points

(mostly tempranillo; aged for one year in a combination of French and American oak): Bright ruby-red. Sexy red fruits, oak spices and floral oils on the nose. Sweet, deep cherry-vanilla and black raspberry flavors are lifted by juicy acidity and become more energetic with air, picking up a smoky nuance that carries through a smooth, gently tannic finish. Texture-wise this wine is very appealing now, but I'd opt to give it some cellar time to allow the oak to get to know the fruit a little better.

 

2006 Cune Vina Real Reserva

$31.99 a bottle

Wine Advocate #202, Aug 2012

Neal Martin 91 points

The 2006 Reserva has a more gamey, animally nose than the 2005 with dark berries and earthy notes combining to intriguing effect. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweeter entry than the 2005. It is underpinned by fine tannins and a crescendo of ripe black cherry, wild strawberry and garrigue notes that inform the long, graceful finish. It is still unresolved but it shows great promise. Drink now-2025.

 

2006 Vina Real Rioja Gran Reserva

$41.99 a bottle

Wine Advocate #202, Aug 2012

Neal Martin 92 points

The bouquet on the 2006 Gran Reserva is more polished and opulent than the 2005 and is perhaps showing more alcohol at present. The palate has a sweet entry of dark cherries and creme de cassis. This is a very sleek Gran Reserva, more modern in style than the 2005 with a silky smooth, seductive finish that needs to develop a little more complexity.

 

2007 Cune Imperial Reserva

$44.99 a bottle

Wine Advocate #210, Dec 2013

Luis Gutierrez 91 points

The 2007 Imperial Reserva, from a cool, somehow difficult vintage might be a bit fragile. It displays some toasted sesame seed aromas over a core of crunchy red fruit notes and hints of smoke and cured meats. The medium-bodied palate reveals a surprisingly accessible wine, with pure flavors, good acidity and length, missing perhaps the complexity that should gain with time in bottle. Drink 2014-2019.

 

2007 Cune Contino Reserva

$44.99 a bottle

Wine Advocate #202, Aug 2012

Neal Martin 92 points

The 2007 Reserva has an alluring, ripe cassis-scented bouquet with well-integrated oak that soars from the glass and maintains superb clarity and vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with very smooth, silky tannins and just a touch of piquancy towards the intense finish, which still shows some puppy fat, but demonstrates great persistency. Drink now-2020+

 

More great free tastings at Sunset Corners:

 

TODAY!

March 1, 2014

The wines of the Loring Wine Compamy

With special guests, Brian Loring, owner/winemaker

and Rachel Silowski, asst. winemaker

12pm - 4pm

A free tasting

 

Saturday, March 8th

The Wines of California's Martinelli Vineyards

12pm - 4pm

A free tasting

Details to follow

 

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