2015 Imperial Reserva
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Tasting notes
Based on 85% Tempranillo, with the balance Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha, the 2015 Imperial Reserva was fermented in larger French oak vats and aged in a combination of French and American oak. Dense purple-hued, with a killer nose of smoked blackcurrants, vanilla, violets, orange blossom, and cedar, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet ripe, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. This beauty is drinking well today yet has the acidity, concentration, and tannins to evolve for another 10-15 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Raspberry and unsmoked cigar on the nose. Dry, elegant, with an intense red-berried sappiness at the core. Silky, long tannins. Tinge of bitterness on the edges, like chewing on dry eucalyptus leaves. Resin. Very dry finish with a classic coconut-tobacco-spice note that lingers. (TC)
The analysis of the 2015 Imperial Reserva is almost identical to those of the Viña Real Reserva from the same vintage, but the profile is quite different. This is the more serious Haro-style red, and it has slightly darker fruit and a medium to full-bodied palate with very good grip, powerful but with great balance. The blend is also similar—85% Tempranillo and the rest split between Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha—but these are grapes from Rioja Alta fermented with yeasts selected from their own vineyards. The wine matured in French and American oak barrels for two years. The wines are different, but the quality level is similar. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2018.
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.