2019 CVNE Imperial Reserva Rioja
Grape
Usually 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo
Its Origins
Imperial is one of Spain's iconic wine. A quintessential Rioja. The Imperial winery is a small and unique independent artisanal winery within the original CVNE facility in Haro, where the company was founded. This has been one of Spain’s finest wines since 1920 and is only produced in years of exceptional harvests in Rioja: It takes its name from a special bottling run for the English market in a bottle known as the Imperial Pint (an imperial pint is approximately half a litre). Imperial Gran Riserva the winery’s flagship, was ranked the world’s best wine in 2013 by the prestigious American magazine Wine Spectator, becoming the first Spanish wine to receive this accolade. The winery contains French oak vats of different capacities, and rigorous quality controls govern wine production. The wines are monitored using artisanal techniques adapted specifically for each plot. Barrels are aged inside their Eiffel facility, built by the famous architect’s studio in 1909 after he had finished the tower in Paris. Imperial wines are only produced in years with outstanding harvests. They perfectly capture the essence of its soil and impeccable care of our Rioja Alta vineyards. Imperial has its own style: fine, precise and powerful. As well as Imperial, this winery also produces Real de Asúa wine, a homage to the winery’s founders.
What The Critics Say
95/100 JamesSuckling.com, Zekun Shuai
"A precise, layered nose that shows excellent purity despite some sweet oak spices. More berry fruit comes out as you give it some time in the glass. Plums, cherries, red berries with dark mushrooms, cured meat, grilled spices, stones, vanilla and iodine. Juicy, spiced berries quickly tighten up on the medium- to full-bodied palate with dusty, powerful tannins, allowing it to expand into the finish. It grows on the palate and the creaminess is already chiselled. This will age beautifully in the next 10-15 years. Drinkable now, but better from 2026."
94/100 Vinous, Joaquin Hildalgo
"The 2019 Reserva Imperial is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo sourced from Villalba, Briones and Torremontalbo in Rioja Alta. Aged for 24 months in a combination of French (70%) and American (30%) oak barrels, this dark garnet wine reveals enticing aromas of blackberry and ripe plums from the Tempranillo, complemented by hints of hops and herbs from the other varieties. Dry, intense and juicy on the palate, it offers a fairly chalky and energetic mouthfeel. This is a classic Rioja with a nod to fruit-forwardness." Drink 2024 - 2040
| Variety | Tempranillo |
|---|---|
| Region | Rioja |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Maturity | 2024 - 2040 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.
