CVNE : Imperial Gran Reserva 2016

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for CVNE’s Imperial Gran Reserva 2016

Tasting

Color
The color reveals an intense cherry red enhanced by violet highlights.

Nose
Complex and deep, the nose opens with aromas of wild berries and licorice, accompanied by spicy notes of clove and cracked pepper. Barrel aging brings nuances of roasted coffee, cigar leaf, chocolate, and caramel, along with subtle balsamic touches.

Palate
On the palate, this wine charms with velvety tannins that lend it remarkable elegance. The structure is both dense and concentrated, while retaining a certain grace. Flavors of black fruits, blackcurrant, and plum mingle with notes of cedar, Earl Grey tea, smoke, and spices. The long, persistent finish reflects the exceptional quality of this vintage.

Food and Wine Pairings

Imperial Gran Reserva 2016 can be enjoyed on its own or paired with red meats, game, fatty fish, as well as aged cheeses. Its tannic structure and aromatic complexity make it an ideal companion for refined preparations and boldly flavored dishes.

Serving and Cellaring

It is recommended to serve Imperial Gran Reserva 2016 at a temperature of 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now, but it has outstanding aging potential that will allow it to evolve favorably until around 2040.

An exceptional gran reserva from Rioja Alta by CVNE

The Estate

Founded in 1879 by brothers Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asúa in Haro’s station district, CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) ranks among Spain’s most prestigious wine estates. Today led by Victor Urrutia Ybarra, representing the fifth generation of the founding family, the estate oversees around 600 hectares of vineyards spread across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. CVNE stands out for its pioneering commitment to environmental sustainability and for an approach that combines traditional methods with technological innovation. In 2024, the estate became the first producer in La Rioja to achieve Gold Member status with the International Wineries for Climate Action.

The Vineyard

Imperial Gran Reserva 2016 comes from carefully selected plots located in Rioja Alta, notably the sites known as Remedio and Encinas in Villalba, as well as Barbarroja and Antoñana in Torremontalbo. These vineyards are planted at elevations between 550 and 650 meters on gently sloping, south-facing hillsides. The soils, composed of clay with areas of river pebbles and low in organic matter, rest on a clay-limestone subsoil characteristic of the region’s finest terroirs. The vines, around 40 years old, are goblet-trained and dry-farmed, naturally producing low yields that concentrate quality in the grapes.

The Vintage

The 2016 vintage in Rioja is considered exceptional, comparable to the great years 2004 and 2010. The mild winter and rainy spring helped replenish the soil’s water reserves. Flowering took place under excellent conditions. August, hot and dry, slowed ripening, creating a slight water stress that benefited aromatic concentration. Timely September rains allowed the grapes to complete ripening under ideal conditions. The exceptionally long growing cycle of 161 days favored the development of a remarkable balance between acidity, structure, aromas, and length, with moderate alcohol levels.

Vinification and Aging

The Imperial Gran Reserva 2016 harvest was carried out by hand between October 10 and 25. After picking into 20-kilogram crates, the grapes were kept for 24 hours in a cold room before being gravity-fed into small oak fermentation vats. Cold maceration preceded alcoholic fermentation conducted with indigenous yeasts at a controlled temperature between 28°C and 29°C. Daily pump-overs and rack-and-return were carried out to optimize extraction. Malolactic fermentation took place in concrete vats. The wine was then aged for 24 months in French and American oak barrels, with racking every eight months, followed by a minimum of 36 months of bottle aging before release. Bottling took place in July 2019.

Grape Varieties

Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%), Mazuelo (5%)