2014 Imperial Gran Reserva
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Tasting notes
This is initially quite muted on the nose, but slowly starts to give up hints of thyme and wild dried herbs, alongside French oak spice. With a bit of coaxing, there is an added depth of black cherry and earthiness that comes through, with the sweetness of freshly picked berries. There is plenty of structure on the palate with blackcurrant, cherry, cinnamon oak, grilled peppers, and fresh acidity. The tannin structure is there, but this is already very approachable, in style for an Imperial – it’s one to drink ahead of the 2011 and 2012, I suspect. Trademark Rioja spice and hints of vanilla fill the finish, but – as ever with Imperial – nothing is overdone; there is power with balance. This is all about the dark, almost brooding fruit that is such a hallmark of the young wine. Youthful, but outstanding.
Critic scores
Average Score
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Shimmering ruby-red. An intensely perfumed nose displays cherry cola, cassis, licorice and smoky oak; floral and vanilla qualities emerge in the glass. Juicy, penetrating red and dark fruit flavors are given spine by a core of tangy acidity, and bitter chocolate, candied rose and spicecake nuances develop with air. Gently gripping tannins add shape to an impressively long, incisive finish that leaves more vanilla and cherry notes behind. Raised for 22 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels.
No 2013 was produced, as it was a very challenging year in Haro. So, from the 2012 I tasted last time, we jumped to the 2014 Imperial Gran Reserva, an icon among classical Rioja. The grapes for this blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo were picked during the first half of October at a low 13.5% alcohol and were fermented in small oak vats followed by malolactic in concrete and two years in barrel. The bottles are kept for at least 36 months before they are released. As the Imperial Reserva, the style of this wine has to be preserved (they can innovate in the new Asúa range). There is a developed and subtle nose reminiscent of petrol (is it mineral?), hints of iodine and sweet spices. The palate is powerful and still a little tannic, as the wine was released even earlier because they skipped one vintage. Serious, austere, faithful to its character. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2017.
A fine-tuned and polished gran reserva with lots of finesse and linear character. Medium body. Refined and beautiful. Drink now.
About the producer
CVNE, or Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (the Northern Spanish Wine Company), is one of Rioja’s leading names. With its various brands – Cune, Viña Real, Contino and Imperial – CVNE produces both large volumes and high quality, with its Imperial Gran Reserva one of the region’s finest wines.