CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) is one of the most renowned and historic bodegas in all of Spain. Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo, the company has been an integral part of the Rioja region’s ascendance in the world of fine wine. With their combination of traditional roots and innovative vision, CVNE has been one of Rioja’s most reliable sources for high quality wine.

Imperial is one of the renowned references in the entire history of Spanish winemaking. It is a true classic in Rioja and was first bottled in the 1920’s. Its name was originally adopted after a special bottling for the English market in a bottle called ‘Pinta Imperial’ or ‘Imperial Pint’ (an Imperial pint, half a litre approximately). 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. Aging in French and American oak cask 36 months and aging in bottle 48 months before going to market. This wine is produced from grapes harvested in vineyards that are over 20 years old. They are bush pruned, with low yields, and hand harvested.

Tasting Note:
Wine Advocate 94 points!
The 2001 Imperial Gran Reserva has a more complex, better defined nose than the 2000, with black cherries, spice and Seville orange marmalade. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins cloaked in sweet dark cherry, bitter orange and strawberry fruit. It is lighter on its feet than the 2000, with less persistence, yet it shows greater harmony and tension. This is a fabulous Gran Reserva with enormous weight and dimension. Drink now-2035.

Tasting Note:
Int´l Wine Cellar 94 points!
Bright ruby-red; doesn´t look to be 11 years old. Powerful, oak-spiced aromas of candied cherry and raspberry, with suave vanilla, mocha and floral nuances and slow-building tobacco and leather elements. Pliant, palate-staining red fruit and floral pastille flavors show impressive depth and heft, with a good lashing of sweet vanillin oak. Sweet and expansive on the gently tannic finish, which shows excellent clarity and length. This wine seems poised for a very long, graceful evolution.

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