Wine Advisor
CVNE, Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja 2009
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Deep, bright ruby. Highly complex, expansive scents of ripe dark berries, cherry pie, mocha, pipe tobacco and vanilla, with a smoky overtone. Sweet, deep blackberry and floral pastille flavors are complicated by notes of spicecake and bitter chocolate, showing unlikely vivacity on the back half. This ripe and rich but elegant Rioja combines finishes supple, smoky and very long, with velvety tannins making a late appearance to add grip.
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
The 2009 Imperial Gran Reserva, the textbook blend of Tempranillo with 15% Graciano and Mazuelo, is fermented in oak vats with malo in barrels (part did it in cement) where it matured for two years and the bottles rested in their caves for no less than three years before being released. In this ripe and approachable vintage the wine is soft and round, showing the classical aromas inherited for the American oak along with very balsamic notes of incense, cigar ash, old furniture and good, ripe black fruit in the background. The palate shows more abundant tannins, slightly grainy in nature and an ending that is quite dry. I would wait on this one, but it should develop nicely in bottle. 50,000 bottles produced.
About the Producer
CVNE was named "Top 100 Wineries of the Year" by Wine & Spirits magazine in 2015. The winery has also had up to 40 of its wines listed in renowned American wine critic Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate has scored over 90 points. The 2004 Imperial Gran Reserva was awarded the Wine Spectator's "Top 100 Wines of the Year" in 2013, the first time a Spanish winery has won the WS Top 100, which is very representative. CVNE is one of the largest family-owned winemaking groups in Rioja, founded in 1879 by two brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asua. The family is now in its fifth generation and has a long history of 135 years. The CVNE brand symbolizes the Spanish flag and is the only winery authorized to use the Spanish flag as a base color for its logo. CVNE has a close relationship with the Spanish royal family, and its Grand Cru has been selected as the wedding wine for members of the Spanish royal family. The King of Spain, Juan Carlos, inaugurated the new wine cellar, thus giving the winery an innate mission to be a leader in the production of quality Spanish wines. Cune is the founding winery of the group, and the team places great emphasis on winemaking and ageing, with four wineries spanning Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa: Cune, Imperial, Vina Real and Contino. Contino.) Cune Rioja Reserva 2017 The wine has a garnet red color with a pinkish edge. It has a very high concentration, with aromas of berries and licorice recognized and combined with aromas aged in oak, such as spices, vanilla and anise. The palate is smooth, as the tannins are well integrated, bringing elegance and an aftertaste. The fruity aromas are all very good on the finish.
