![CVNE Cune Imperial Gran Reserva DOC 2018 (Rioja, Spain) - [JS 97] [WA 95+] [TA 95] [DM 95] [WS 94]](http://artisan-wine-spirits.myshopify.com/cdn/shop/files/excz69b6ehd9qqgikqlc_{width}x.jpg?v=1741823087)
CVNE Cune Imperial Gran Reserva DOC 2018
(Rioja, Spain) - [JS 97] [WA 95+] [TA 95] [DM 95] [WS 94]
Regular price $120.00 Sale price $99.99 Save $20.01
About the Wine
Our finest Rioja Alta vineyards are destined for the production of Imperial Gran Reserva, the plots from which the grapes are harvested are located between 550 and 650 m of altitude with a climate of Atlantic and continental influence. The vines are bush trained, dry farmed and the plots are small. The soils are clay with areas of river pebbles, are low in organic matter and are situated on gentle south facing slopes.
Imperial Gran Reserva is an iconic Rioja and Spanish wine. It is only made when harvests are exceptional. This wine is designed to last and improve over time.
The harvest is made manually of selected vineyards, with a double selection of grapes both in the vineyard as in the winery. Cold refrigeration of whole bunches in order to improve fruit extraction and color stability. The crushed grapes were transported by gravity to small oak vats for maceration with cold temperature for a few hours. Followed by fermentation with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperature between 28 and 29ºC. Punching and delestage are carried out daily during fermentation, as well as tastings to determine the perfect moment for draining the vat. After completing the malolactic fermentation in concrete vats, the wine is aged for two years in French and American oak barrels, new and from one wine, with rackings every 8 months, followed by aging in bottle in our century-old cellars until the wine is released to the market.
Vintagefrosts, snow and abundant rainfall. The spring was also cold and rainy and then came the
summer, warm but without excessive temperatures, which allowed for good ripening.
These weather conditions, generalised in Rioja Alta, were also met particularly in our
Imperial vineyards, allowing the production of wines with a slightly lower alcohol content
than usual, a slightly higher acidity and, in short, wines with a lot of fruit and freshness.
Complex aromatic intensity with hints of blackberries, gooseberries, strawberries and liquorice. All accompanied by aromas from the barrel aging such as roasted coffee, chocolate, cloves, toffee, cigar leaf...
On the palate it has a smooth entry and a passage marked by soft tannins, giving it elegance. A long and fruity finish with certain balsamic notes.
Around and balanced winethat can be paired with meat, fatty fish, cured cheeses...
Ratings & Reviews
This is perfumed, with violets, graphite and dried flowers. Elegant and precise, with a tender expression of fruit and finely etched chalky tannins. Juicy and vibrant, yet long and absorbing, with a fresh approachable side balanced by a sense of nerve and tension. Drink or hold.
The 2018 Imperial Gran Reserva was cropped from a year with the weather from yesteryear, a cold winter with frost, snow and abundant rain, a cool spring and mild summer that resulted in a long vegetative cycle of 180 days and a late harvest between October 8th and 26th. It has similar parameters to the 2017 I tasted next to it, with 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.55 and 6.03 grams of acidity, but it shows fresher. It feels very complete, fresh and vibrant, with more depth and tannin. It's still quite young and should develop nicely in bottle with that extra kick from the cooler year. (LG)
One of the last vintages of Imperial's Gran Reserve to use 20% American oak, this a focused, age-worthy wine that will still be going strong in two decades' time. Featuring Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, it's a serious, firm, yet very well balanced red with lots of acidity, muscular tannins, toasty oak and layers of blueberry and black cherry fruit.
Mouthwatering freshness supported by a firm acid verve and chalky tannins hold the core of prune, blackberry and black cherry with strrenth and ease. Powdery graphite, dark chocolate shavings, liquorice root, mocha and chcocolate mousse build layers of broody complexity. CVNE's best vineyards in Rioja Alta provide the fruit for Imperial Gran Reserva – 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo in 2018, from Villalba and Torremontalbo. Fermentation with native yeasts was followed by malolactic in concrete vats, then the wine was aged for two years in 80% French and 20% American oak barrels, new and second-use, with racking every eight months, and further ageing in bottle before release. A wine that, still teasingly coiled, has a long time ahead of it. (IS)
A lovely, harmonious red, with a lush quality to the chopped mulberry and cherry fruit that's trimmed nicely by plum skin acidity and fine-grained, sinewy tannins. Violet, licorice, iron, olive and herb details add complexity and appeal, echoing on the vibrant finish. Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2038. 4,166 cases made, 500 cases imported.