Wine Advisor
CVNE, Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
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. It was a smaller crop, and they produced 56,000 bottles. It was bottled in July 2021.
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.
