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CVNE ‘Monopole’ Rioja Blanco 2020
Origin: Rioja, Spain
Retail: $14.95 | Sale: $13.46
After a visual misunderstanding of the handwritten name Cune, CVNE ( Compañía Vinícola del Norte del España) has been producing wines in Rioja since 1879. From their early years, their wines were award winning and in 1915 set the stage for naming Monopole as the oldest white wine brand in Spain. Monopole is made from Rioja Alta grapes giving it consistent quality and a clean and precise aroma. It is a hand-made wine, from planting to harvest, and is grown on clay soil. Once picked, grapes are macerated with skins for 8 hours and then pneumatically pressed. Stainless steel fermentation and temperature control preserve the distinctive flavors of this wine. Monopole Rioja shows a perfect balance between structure and acidity, with aromas of fresh flowers, white pear and apple. Orchard fruit and lemon pith on the palate with a slightly mineral forward finish.
100 % Viura
Tripoz 'Cuvée du Clocher’ Mâcon Loché 2019
Origin: Burgundy, France
Retail: $26.95 | Sale: $24.26
Biodynamic winemakers Celine and Laurent Tripoz exemplify terroir with this white burgundy. Laurent describes Loché as having soils less desirable than other parts of Burgundy, and because of this the winemakers must work more specifically to produce the same level of wonderful wines. With vineyards located on clay and limestone soils, and a winemaking perspective based in low-intervention farming methods, the Tripoz’ create this Chardonnay to fill only 501 bottles. Can we get some more cowhorn? Flavors of crisp minerality, fresh citrus and white orchard fruits are preserved by stainless steel fermentation and no added sulfur. A whisper of creaminess on the finish. This white Burgundy is an excellent example of wines from the Loché subregion.
100% Chardonnay
Viña Real Rioja Reserva 2015
Origin: Rioja, Spain
Retail: $35.95 | Sale: $32.36
The second wine from Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE), the Viña Real Reserva gives us a great example from their red repertoire. Fermented in stainless steel and then working 22 months in new oak, this medium-bodied Rioja highlights classic Tempranillo flavors with earthy berry and plum aromas, rounded out by notes of vanilla and tobacco. A perfect wine with food, roasted cherry flavors and a hint of freshness on the end make this wine a welcome dinner guest. The warmth of the 2015 vintage brings out the more fruit-forward aspects of Garnacha, without letting this wine become too red-fruited or full-berry. A gentle wine with clout, and one that has been able to withstand a little age on the bottle.
90% Tempranillo 10% Garnacha