Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva 2016

C.V.N.E.

Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva
2016

  • Vegan
Country
Spain
Regulated designation
Denominación de origen calificada (DOCa)
Region
La Rioja
Subregion
Alta
Classification
Gran reserva
Varietal(s)
Tempranillo 85 %
Graciano 10 %
Mazuelo 5 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Sugar content
1.5 g/l
Producer's website

About this winery

Founded in 1879 by the brothers Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asua, the Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España is one of the oldest estates in La Rioja. C.V.N.E. is located in Haro, in the traditional wine trade district, next to the train station. In this period when transport was not very advanced, there was a definite advantage in locating your cellar very close to a train station! By 1900, this company had more than 80,000 bottles intended for prolonged aging, which was rare at that time...

See the C.V.N.E. detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Created for the 1st time in the 1920s. Its name comes from a special bottling for the English market carried out in a bottle of “Pinta Imperial” or “Imperial Pint” which is equivalent to half a liter.

Production notes

Exceptional vintages only. 24 months in French and American oak barrels and cellared for 3 years.

Tasting notes

Deep cherry red color. Aromas of balsamic notes, spices, berries and licorice. The mouth is velvety and dense with soft and fine tannins. Pairings with red meat and game.

Press reviews

James Suckling

- 97 points -

James Suckling, April 2023 (Vintage 2017)

A very structured and gorgeous Rioja with blackberry, cherry, cedar and spice aromas and flavors. Hints of toasted oak underneath. Granite, too. Medium-bodied, yet the structure builds on the palate, giving superb length and power. Give it three to five years to come together, and beyond.

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James Suckling

- 97 points -

James Suckling, October 2021 (Vintage 2015)

This is very ripe with blackberries, dried fruit, toasted oak and black licorice on the nose. Full-bodied with ultra-fine, linear tannins and a racy, refined finish. This has fantastic structure and length. It goes on for minutes. It needs time to open and refine even more. One of the best Imperiale Gran Reservas in a very long time. Drink after 2023.

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Vinous

- 95 points -

Josh Raynolds, April 2021 (Vintage 2015)

Deep, brilliant ruby. Offers sharply defined, mineral-inflected red and dark berries, cherry liqueur, pipe tobacco, vanilla and exotic spice scents. Chewy and penetrating in the mouth, offering concentrated black raspberry, bitter cherry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that steadily become more lively on the back half. The strikingly persistent finish features polished tannins, repeating minerality and a touch of candied flowers.

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Wine Advocate

- 95 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, July 2022 (Vintage 2016)

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.

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Wine Advocate

- 95 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, June 2019 (Vintage 2012)

The wine that represents the traditional and serious reds from Haro, the 2012 Imperial Gran Reserva is a classical blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo that matured in barrel for two years. It has a textbook serious Haro nose, with dark spices, ripe fruit, something balsamic and a round, full-bodied palate within the straight and serious style of the wine. 2012 was a warm year, but the wines are fresher than those from 2011. This has fine, slightly grainy tannins with good grip. A textbook Imperial Gran Reserva. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2015.

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Wine Spectator

- 94 points -

Alison Napjus, January 2023 (Vintage 2017)

A fresh, graceful red, with dense, sculpted tannins creating good tension while finding fine integration with a lovely range of ripe black plum and black cherry, cured tobacco, balsamico and minerally iron and tar notes. Firm and racy on the lasting, spiced finish. Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo. Best from 2025 through 2035. 4,166 cases made, 500 cases imported.

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Wine Advocate

- 94 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, October 2020 (Vintage 2014)

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.

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Vinous

- 94 points -

Josh Raynolds, April 2021 (Vintage 2014)

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.

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James Suckling

- 94 points -

James Suckling, May 2018 (Vintage 2012)

A tight and beautiful wine with blackberries, bramble berries, rose petals and lemon grass. Medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Very fine-grained. Lovely now. Even better in 2020.

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Wine Spectator

- 93 points -

Alison Napjus, September 2022 (Vintage 2016)

This dense, concentrated red maintains a sense of grace and style throughout, with sculpted tannins married to a generous, finely knit range of black currant and plum fruit, showing hints of cedar, Earl Grey tea leaf, smoke and spice that echo on the finish. Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2036. 42,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

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Wine Spectator

- 93 points -

Thomas Matthews, September 2020 (Vintage 2014)

This muscular red has a thick, dense texture and muscular tannins. Plum and currant flavors mingle with clove, cola, vanilla and baking spice notes. Comes on strong, but the orange peel acidity gives way to a gentle, floral finish. Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2032

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