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Sunday, June 12, 2016

Wine Review: CVNE Monopole 2015 Rioja Blanco

Cune Monopole 2015 Rioja Blanco

This is the second of three wines by CVNE that I'm revewing. The first one is  Viña Real 2015 Rioja Rosado, this one is CVNE Monopole 2015 Rioja Blanco, and the conclusion is Cune 2015 Rioja Rosado. The winery goes by both CVNE and Cune, Cune being a typo that stuck. The acronym is pronounced coo-nay and stands for Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España. It was founded in 1879 in Haro, Rioja and has been a leader in progressive winemaking and modernization since its inception.

Monopole is 100% Viura and CVNE has been making it under the Monopole label since 1915. Viura is also known as Macabeo and it's one of the grapes used in making Cava, Spain's famous sparkling wine. I've adored the Viura's of Rioja since the first time I ever tried it... so let's hope I don't get my first dud.

As someone that spent his teenage years in the 90's, I must admit that I have a soft spot for KoRn.  I know, I know. Pick on me all you want because I really don't care. Despite their ridiculous commercial success and a few albums where they lost themselves, they were a great band so fuck off. Anyways, for whatever reason I've decided to play their self-titled album tonight while I review this wine.

Crank up the bagpipes and pop the top. Rrrrrrrrrrratatataaaa.

I like that the glass is green, the bottle is tall and thin, and that it's got a stelvin but I'm not a fan of the label. I just don't find it all that appealing. It's gotta be the vertical green on the left hand side with the sideways "Cune". Sorry, it just looks like a bottle that I can get at Trader Joe's for $6. Get rid of that part and you've got an attractive package.

The wine is a pale yellow with just the slightest, almost nonexistent, hint of green. And dear lord, the nose! I really dislike terms like "jump out of the glass" and I cringe whenever I see it used but... yeah... the aromas here jump out of the glass! There's some pretty noisy limes, melons and grass screaming their way out of this liquid.

In the mouth the profile takes a turn on the midpalate and goes more for lemon, grapefruit and peaches and brings back the limes and melons on the finish. It's light and crisp and packed with asskicking acidity.

I want to grab every Sauvignon Blanc obsessed person I know and make them try this, especially the ones that drink nothing else. It's comparable enough to a Sauvie but not enough to be a Sauvie wannabe. And honestly it's not complicated, it's not elegant, but it's as lively and impactful as the power chords I'm hearing in my headphones. And for $13 it's an incredible bargain.

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $13
Rating: 4/5 = Recommended (what does that mean?)

The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.

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