WTN: 2004 Campo Viejo Crianza Tempranillo

2004 Campo Viejo Crianza Tempranillo

Color: Ruby red.

Nose: Cherry, freshly chopped wood, some ketone in the background.

Taste: Dark fruit, wood dust (not oak), not enough of the acidity that I like in a Tempranillo. After taste was a bit astringent. Oddly enough the wine paired reasonably well with our gourmet dinner of soup and toasted cheese*. Picked the wine up as a quaffer for $12. Would probably give it a pass next time.

* The crappy meal was courtesy of our recently licensed son sliding his truck into the ditch on a slick road. We had to wait two hours for AAA, so dinner plans were shelved. Son and truck are both fine.

Hi Sam,
First off, I'm glad that your son escaped the accident with only his pride slightly mussed.
I recall having the Campo Crianza a few years ago and was unimpressed although we sold a sh!tload of it down at the shop when I was ITB-PT. Makes me glad that there is still a small supply of 2001 ESJ Wylie-Fenaughty Syrah available locally for only $2 or $3 more.
Bill

Campo Viejo does not appear to be the winery it once was. I asked about this Rioja producer on another forum and was told politely to skip to something else!! I turned to CUNE and have not been disappointed.

I recall having the Campo Crianza a few years ago and was unimpressed although we sold a sh!tload of it down at the shop when I was ITB-PT.

Bill,

They sell lot's of it at the local shop as well. I don't know if word of mouth drives the purchase of these kinds of wines, or if people really like them. That sort of thing always surprises me when there are some better alternatives at the same price point and lots of alternatives within a few bucks. People buy awful Cali Pinots that cost several dollars more than what in my opinion are very good QPR Jadot Pinot Bourgogne.

Bob - Seen the CUNE, haven't tried it. Will definitely do so.

There are so many better Rioja to buy at the same price as Campo Viejo...

Actually, just about anything.

BTW, I think you paid the reserva price for the crianza (not that it matters much these days).

Best,
Joe

I'm always interested by the number of people who refer to it as CUNE (naturally enough, given the label) despite its name being C.V.N.E. (Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España). Is this just understood, or is there truly some confusion?

Mark Lipton

No confusion, just lazyness!!!

It's a long story.