CVNE Real de Asua Carromaza Rioja 2022

97 points James Suckling

This opens with dark cherries, graphite and an enveloping violet floral note, layered over a subtle hint of underbrush. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with grainy, well-integrated tannins, bright acidity and a savory core. Very composed and well-crafted, with brilliant structure. Sourced from a 2.37 hectare single vineyard in Villalba, in Rioja Alta. Drink or hold.

96 points Wine Advocate

The 2022 Real de Asúa is a wine that changed in 2018, when they started producing it exclusively with Tempranillo from the lieu-dit Carromaza in the village of Villalba. 2020 saw a short cycle, and the grapes were picked on September 27 and 28. After a cold soak, the grapes fermented in small oak vats with indigenous yeasts. Malolactic was in French oak barrels, and the aging was in new and second-use barriques and lasted 12 months. This is serious, harmonious, insinuating and nuanced, with subtle complexity. It's fresh and develops more complexity as it open up in the glass, with notes of flowers and spices, hints of pine cones and wild herbs. This is very integrated, compact and seamless, with very fine tannins, polished and elegant. It's a triumph over the conditions of the year. 12,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2025. 2022 was a challenging year; they still don't know if they are going to make Imperial, but they have produced Real de Asúa.

96 points Decanter

Gorgeous fragrance on the nose, so softly and gently perfumed - fragrant with floral roses and violets and ripe, almost sweetly-scented strawberries with a hint of Black Forest Gateau too. Succulent and grippy, this takes hold with super fine tannins that give a powdery sensation on the palate with crunchy red berry fruit. Acidity is perfect, lifting the fruit giving tension and zing as well as elongating the expression. There’s lift but no lacking in power or push. Finessed, elegant and totally delicious. Juicy and moreish, there’s a feeling of utter confidence but no showing off. Authentic and you get a feeling this is clear representation of what this wine/vineyard can do even in conditions of drought and high temperatures. 3.60pH. Ageing 12 months in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak barrels.

PRODUCT DETAILS

• SKUPJ03304
• TypeRed Wine
• CountrySpain
• RegionRioja
• Size750mL
• Vintage2022