- Colour Red
- Producer CVNE
- Region Rioja
- Grape Tempranillo
- Drinking 2019 - 2029
- Case size 1x300cl
- Available Now
2005 - Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva CVNE - 1x300cl
- Colour Red
- Producer CVNE
- Region Rioja
- Grape Tempranillo
- Drinking 2019 - 2029
- Case size 1x300cl
- Available Now
Select pricing type
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Wine Advocate, Score: 95
The 2005 Imperial Gran Reserva is firing on all cylinders. Smoked cured meats, balsamic notes of beeswax, antique shop and incense define the complex and elegant nose. The medium-bodied palate reveals an impressively powerful wine which manages to feel light on its feet. I needed to swallow a bit of wine to make sure; yes, it’s truly elegant and classic. This is a great wine, which transports you to the old Grand Reservas of yesteryear. It delivers great quality at a great price Drink 2016-2023.
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Jancis Robinson, Septembe 2013, Score: 93
(a blend of 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano and 5% mazuelo that was aged in French and American oak for 24 months): Deep red. Heady aromas of cherry, redcurrant, vanilla and rose oil, with a smoky nuance and a hint of cured tobacco. Sappy, penetrating, appealingly sweet red fruit flavors put on weight with air while maintaining vivacity. This impressively balanced and focused gran reserva finishes with silky tannins and excellent cut and persistence. One for the cellar.
Producer
CVNE
Historic Rioja house, which includes the estates of Vina Real, Contino, Imperial, and Cune. They pride themselves on incorporating Rioja's tradition and modern innovation. C.V.N.E. stands for Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana (The Northern Spanish Wine Company). It was established in 1879 and is still run by the same family today, now in its fifth generation.
Region
Rioja
By the far the best known of Spain's wine regions is Rioja, which takes its name from the rio(river) Oja, a tributary of the river Ebro. Lying in the north of the country, along the Ebro valley, the area is sheltered from rain-bearing Atlantic winds by the dramatic Sierra de Cantabria to the north and west. The hilly vineyards are interspersed with orchards, poplars and eucalyptus trees. Rioja is further divided into three sub-regions - Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. The first two are best regarded, with vines planted on cool slopes with clay and limestone soils. The permitted grape varieties for Rioja are tempranillo, which is grown extensively in Rioja Alta and Alavesa and will form the backbone of all the best wines, garnacha, widespread in Rioja Baja and used to add body to the blend, and mazuelo (carignan) and graciano, both grown in miniscule proportions. The key to understanding Rioja is the technique used to mature the wine. Unlike most other areas of Europe, American oak barrels are used which give the wines their characteristic soft vanilla, almost coconuty flavour. Historically the wines were aged for periods far longer than legally required, until all the fruit character had died down and the end result was a light, tawny-coloured wine dominated by oak flavours. Although there are still supporters of this classic style, far more producers are making wines in a more modern way, allowing the dark berry fruit flavours to burst through balanced by a more judicious use of oak ageing and often opting for French oak now.
