2005 Imperial Reserva
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Imperial Reserva is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. The fruit is fermented in large oak vats and aged for 24 months in new and second fill barrels, of which 60% are French oak, before aging for three years in bottle. The aromatics are powerful and broody, with blackberry, cranberry, kirsch and singed leather. It has impressive purity and focus, although it is still very primal. The palate is full-bodied, with a sweet, luscious entry and then layers of sweet dark cherry and cassis fruit that need a little more tannic grip. Yet there is certainly good persistency towards the finish, suggesting that there is substance here to age over 10 or 15 years. Drink 2013-2025+. C.V.N.E. needs absolutely no introduction. It is seen as a bastion of traditional Rioja, and older vintages are revered (even though I myself found some of them rather enervated when tasting in London in 2009). The company owns Contino, which is run independently, as well as Vina Real. Importer: Christopher Cannan. Europvin, www.europvin.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Vivid ruby. Sexy aromas of redcurrant, cherry-vanilla, pipe tobacco and dried flowers. Fresh, spicy, impressively delineated red fruit flavors show very good depth, with the tobacco and vanilla elements carrying through in the mouth. Elegantly styled Rioja, finishing with a fine dusting of tannins and excellent spice-driven persistence. Shows more vivacity than the powerful 2004 version, which is of equal quality but in a different style.
About the producer
CVNE, or Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (the Northern Spanish Wine Company), is one of Rioja’s leading names. With its various brands – Cune, Viña Real, Contino and Imperial – CVNE produces both large volumes and high quality, with its Imperial Gran Reserva one of the region’s finest wines.