CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva

Dating back to 1879, CVNE is a family run company that has helped put Rioja on the map. This year, they made it to the prestigious ranking of the “World’s Most Admired Wine Brands” by the magazine Drinks.

Imperial is their flagship cuvee and one of the most famous labels in the world. It was rated world’s number one wine in 2013 by the American magazine Wine Spectator.

CVNE’s story

The C.V.N.E. Company, or to give it its full name, Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (The Northern Spanish Wine Company) was established on the 24th of March 1879 in Haro, Rioja. Set up by two brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asúa, their aim was to capitalise on the flourishing new trade in wine. They now own several wineries in Rioja, as well as Ribera del Duero, Valdeorras, Rias Baixas and Cava.
Imperial is a small, unique, independent and artisanal winery within the original CVNE facility in Haro. This has been one of Spain’s finest wines since 1920 and is only produced in years of exceptional harvests in Rioja. It takes its name from a special bottling run for the English market in a bottle known as the Imperial Pint (an imperial pint is approximately half a litre). The winery contains French oak vats of different capacities, and rigorous quality controls govern wine production. The wines are monitored using artisanal techniques adapted specifically for each plot. Barrels are aged inside their Eiffel facility, built by the popular architect’s studio in 1909.

2017 The Growing season

The 2017 harvest in the Imperial vineyards began on the 18th September and ended on the 3rd October. The year began with warmer temperatures than usual which brought forward the growing season, including bud burst. The new growth then succumbed heavily to the severe frost at the end of April reducing even further a yield which had already been diminished by drought.
At the end of July, isolated storms helped to restore vegetative balance in the vines, so raising hopes for improved production yields. Rioja Alta’s usual continental climate with cool summer nights contributed to avoiding excessive ripening in the grapes and assisted in producing a high quality vintage. In addition, regular checks in the vineyard were critical in deciding the optimum timing for the harvest and safeguarding the characteristic freshness of wines from the region.

Imperial Gran Reserva 2017 – The Scores

Imperial wines are only produced in years with outstanding harvests. They perfectly capture the essence of Rioja Alta’s soil. The Gran Reserva is sourced from their best vineyards at about 600m high and aged for two years in a mix of French and American oak.

A firm, tannic red with blackberry and walnut character on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied and chewy with a long, flavorful finish. Needs bottle age to soften. Try after 2022. - 93 points James Suckling.