Grape Variety: Tempranillo 85%, Graciano 10%, Mazuelo: 5%
Made from a selection of the best grapes from our Rioja Alta vineyards around the village of Villalba that were hand harvested in small 30 kg boxes. Before starting the alcoholic fermentation, the bunches of grapes were cooled down and kept at a low temperature for some hours in order to improve our control over fermentation without using any additives and to achieve an optimum extraction. The fermentation took place in a combination of oak vats and stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The wine was then aged in both American and French new and used oak casks for two years, followed by another two years in bottle prior to its release in the market.
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2019
Country:
Spain
Region:
La Rioja
Appellation:
Rioja
Variety:
Tempranillo
Color:
Red
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-CUN-22-19 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
94
Date
2025-07-31
"The Imperial wines are meant to reflect Rioja tradition as remodernized classic wines that can be aged a long time. As part of that, the 2019 Imperial Reserva gets a high percentage of French oak (60%) and more new. Drinking well now, it™s quite full-bodied and powerful in ripe black fruit cradled in firm tannins benefiting from balanced acidity that helps temper the intensity. Age another 15-20 years."
Jancis Robinson
Score
17
Date
2026-03-10
"Tasted blind. A complete and highly appealing wine, offering generous flavours of both black and red fruit in good concentration. The tannins are remarkably smooth and beautifully integrated, giving a supple and chalky but polished mouthfeel. The mid palate is driven by cedar and coffee notes. A classic Rioja, showing great expressiveness and balance. One of those dependable greats that never disappoints and always brings a special moment to the table. Well done, CVNE. (FC)"
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2020
Decanter
Score
94
Date
2025-05-18
"Beautiful nose with lifted herbal notes hovering over the lush black and blue fruit. Tannins are fresh and well presented lending fluidity to the fruit. The mineral backbone as further support to the framework. An alluring, long finish of zesty citrus married with herbal intensity (oregano and thyme)."
2020
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2025-05-22
"The 2020 Reserva Imperial is 85% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from estate vineyards in Torremontalbo and Villalba, Rioja Alta. Aged 24 months in 30% American and 70% French oak barrels, red fruit like sweet and sour cherry define the aromatic profile, with restrained oak on the finish. Balanced, with a gentle chalky texture and medium freshness, this is a long-lasting, harmonious, classic Rioja."
2020
Wine Advocate
Score
93+
Date
2025-02-27
"The 2020 Imperial Reserva was produced with a blend of Tempranillo and 15% Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha grapes that were put through optical sorting and fermented in oak vats by vineyard, and the wine matured for 24 months in barrels, 70% French and the rest American. It has a shy nose that takes time to open up in the glass, but it is surprisingly harmonious and balanced and fresh for the year. It has a little more ripeness, but there's no excess at all; it has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.65 and 5.44 grams of acidity. It has notes of spices, cigar box and ash, berries and wild herbs and a sleek and polished palate with resolved tannins. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2023."
2020
Wine Spectator
Score
93
Date
2025-05-31
"A medium-bodied red, with good focus to its notes of ripe black cherry and Damson plum, black tea, incense, paprika and milled pepper. Bright and graceful overall, this harmonious version integrates firm, fine-grained tannins and a stony underpinning that lingers on the finish. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2035. 12,500 cases made, 1,500 cases imported."