2019, Rioja Real de Asūa Carromaza

CARROMAZA, Rioja, SPAIN,

"Very impressive. It has the naked essence of Rioja without the layers and layers of oak," Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate.

From one of the most established wineries in Spain - CVNE (Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana)

Carromaza vineyard is located in the village of Villalba, high up the Rioja Alta and made up of 30 year old Tempranillo vines, south facing on light soils. 

The modern 2019 Real de Asūa has been produced with grapes from a paraje [plot] in the village of Villalba called Carromaza (now mentioned on the label) on sandy, south-facing soils that were harvested between the 8th and 9th of October. 2019 was a low-yielding year with loose and small bunches that ripened thoroughly delivering wines that are balanced and have ageing potential. It's 14.5% alcohol and has mellow acidity and good freshness and balance. It fermented in small oak vats with indigenous yeasts followed by malolactic in new French oak barrels and then matured in new and second use French barriques for 12 months. The wine is very impressive, showy, clean and harmonious, without any noticeable oak, juicy, harmonious, young, fresh and elegant. It has concentration, power and finesse. It has a new label and bottle and a much more modern image but with the essence form the past. The wine has improved a lot, and it has grip and very fine tannins. Very impressive. It has the naked essence of Rioja without the layers and layers of oak, now from a single vineyard where they want freshness and a lush but floral and delicate profile you have to drink effortlessly. Superb. 96/100 Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate.

This is a 'more modern' wine from the established Spanish winery says CVNE CEO and fifth generation family member Victor Urrutia made from the 2.5ha plot of 30-year-old Tempranillo grapes known as Carromaza in the village of Villalba, high in Rioja Alta. Gorgeous fragrance on the nose with a soft and juicy core of black and red cherry and bramble raspberry fruit with liquorice, toasted caramel and clove spice backed up by chalky tannins that give an enjoyable minerality to the palate. Lifted and driven, this is vibrant with plush but well defined fruit and a sculpted frame. Excellent freshness overall, youthful and energetic. 95/100 Georgie Hindle, Decanter.

A full-bodied, ripe and delicious red with firm, lightly chewy tannins. Lots of cherries, dried flowers, coconut and rosemary. Lavender and white roses, too. Firm and very well structured. Tight and fresh at the end. First year with single vineyard on the label. 100% tempranillo. Try this after 2025. 97/100 James Suckling. 

Light and deft extraction, fine tannins that highlight the precision of the sculpted raspberry and red cherry fruits. This is fairly savoury compared to many Rioja wines, fragrant with waves of raspberry leaf, rose petal, freshly cut herbs, licorice bud, leather, clove spices and a mouthwatering finish. From this vintage, Real de Asua has a new label, wax seal, Carromaza plot clearly stated. No longer seen as an experimental wine, flexing its own identity within the CVNE range, highlighting the potential of this 2.37ha plot of 30 year old Tempranillo vines sat at a windy 550m altitude in Villalba. Give three to five years to fully soften into its structure. Again 12 rather than 18 months ageing in oak barrels, following on from the 2018, but here back to 100% new oak. 96/100 Jane Anson. janeanson.com