2016 Imperial Gran Reserva
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Tasting Notes
For CVNE’s CEO Victor Urrutia, a long growing season is the hallmark of a great vintage in Rioja. The 2016 vintage turned out to be one of the longest in memory, with harvest completed at the end of October. On tasting, the 2016 Imperial Gran Reserva is brilliantly precise, with a stand-out clarity to its fruit profile. Long ageing in oak has added subtle, savoury, roasted spice notes and a textural depth, while never overpowering the crisp, crunchy blackberry and black cherry fruit. Liquorice, a touch of graphite, milk chocolate and lifted violet notes all add to the complexity on the palate. What really defines it though is its fantastic drive which gives the wine energy and great length. Beautifully balanced, this will age brilliantly.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The classical 2016 Imperial Gran Reserva was produced with a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from grapes that were picked between October 10 and 25 with good ripeness, delivering a wine with 14.5% alcohol after fermenting in small oak vats followed by malolactic in concrete and two years in barrel and three in bottle. I was quite surprised, because the wine was quite closed and needed energetic swirling and time in the glass to reveal its true colors. It has more stuffing and finesse than the reserva. 2016 was a very good vintage, with freshness and balance to develop nicely in bottle. The tannins are very fine, and the wine is tasty and long. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2019.
Polished and structured with firm, very fine tannins. Lots going on here, with layers of black fruit, dried spices, graphite, coconut and cracked pepper. Full-bodied and so intense. Keeps going. Long. The tannins are so fine and so numerous. One of the greatest modern gran reservas. 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano and 5% mazuelo. Try in 2025.
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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.