Only produced in years of exceptional harvests, Imperial perfectly captures the essence of Rioja Alta’s soil. The Gran Reserva is sourced from their best vineyards at about 600m high and aged for two years in a mix of French and American oak. Aromas of Black and red fruit alongside notes of forest floor, cloves, roasted coffee, cigar leaf, chocolate, caramel and balsamic notes. Deep and elegant on the palate with warm tannins well balanced with the acidity. Long and complex.
Producer description:
Dating back to 1879, CVNE is a family run company that has helped put Rioja on the map. Imperial, their flagship cuvee, was rated world’s number one wine in 2013 by the American magazine Wine Spectator. They are also known for making Monopole, Spain’s oldest white wine; Corona 1939, Viña Real 1947 and single vineyard Contino.
Style:
Still Red
Vintage:
2015
Dryness:
Dry
ABV:
14.5
Size:
75cl
Delivery:
4 weeks
Available:
3
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Critic Scores
Tim Atkin | 96
Produced in CVNE’s bodega within a bodega, entirely dedicated to Imperial, this is a superb Gran Reserva that combines Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Rich, dense and layered, with fine new French and American oak, wonderful focus, savoury tannins and the depth and concentration to age for a decade or more.
Vinous | 95
Deep, brilliant ruby. Offers sharply defined, mineral-inflected red dark berries, cherry liquor, pipe tobacco, vanilla and exotic spice scents. Chewy and penetrating in the mouth, offering concentrated black raspberry, bitter cherry, boysenberry and spice cake flavors that steadily become more lively on the back half. The strikingly persistent finish features polishes tannins, repeating minerality and a touch of candied flowers.
James Suckling | 97
This is very ripe with blackberries, dried fruit, toasted oak and black licorice on the nose. Full-bodied with ultra-fine, linear tannins and a racy, refined finish. This has fantastic structure and length. It goes on for minutes. It needs time to open and refine even more. One of the best Imperiale Gran Reservas in a very long time. Drink after 2023
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