C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend

9.3121 ratings
9.332 pro ratings
La Rioja, Spain
Tempranillo Blend
Duck, Pasta, Beans & Peas, Goose, Chili & Hot Spicy, Exotic Spices, Game, Baking Spices, Herbs, Mushrooms, Hard Cheese, Turkey, Pork, Salami & Prosciutto, Tomato-Based, Venison, Pungent Cheese, Soft Cheese, Onion, Chicken, Veal, Paella
Top Notes For
Bob McDonald

Last Sunday lunch with Roast Lamb. A 20 year old Rioja fitted the bill nicely. A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Aromatics of tobacco leaf, plum, ashphalt and a bit of tar. A medicinal note the following night. The palate is medium to full bodied with berry, plum and liquorice. Resolved Tannins - quite fluid. This was Wine Spectators No. 1 wine for 2013 and now drinking at its peak but could go on for another 5 years on the evidence of this superb wine.

Last Sunday lunch with Roast Lamb. A 20 year old Rioja fitted the bill nicely. A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Aromatics of tobacco leaf, plum, ashphalt and a bit of tar. A medicinal note the following night. The palate is medium to full bodied with berry, plum and liquorice. Resolved Tannins - quite fluid. This was Wine Spectators No. 1 wine for 2013 and now drinking at its peak but could go on for another 5 years on the evidence of this superb wine.

Feb 25th, 2024
Bob McDonald

Oak Barriques in evidence with vanillin notes also showing plums and tobacco with a dark chocolate note. Quiet dense on the palate with dried cherry, red licorice, and an overall sweetness. A little different to my note of September 2018 where I talk about sweet and sour although that is still there to a degree. A bit weird this one - too famous for what it delivers. In the 2013 Wine Spectator Top 100 this was Wine #1 I will leave last bottle to at least 2024 on its 20th Birthday.

Oak Barriques in evidence with vanillin notes also showing plums and tobacco with a dark chocolate note. Quiet dense on the palate with dried cherry, red licorice, and an overall sweetness. A little different to my note of September 2018 where I talk about sweet and sour although that is still there to a degree. A bit weird this one - too famous for what it delivers. In the 2013 Wine Spectator Top 100 this was Wine #1 I will leave last bottle to at least 2024 on its 20th Birthday.

Feb 2nd, 2021
Bob McDonald

Tobacco and Leathery notes - very earthy and savoury. An intriguing wine showing the Yin and the Yang of both sweet and savoury on the palate in the red cherry spectrum. Full of life in its 14th year. Soft supple persistent tannins. A great Rioja with another 5 years in it. The No. 1 Wine in 2013 Wine Spectators Top 100.

Tobacco and Leathery notes - very earthy and savoury. An intriguing wine showing the Yin and the Yang of both sweet and savoury on the palate in the red cherry spectrum. Full of life in its 14th year. Soft supple persistent tannins. A great Rioja with another 5 years in it. The No. 1 Wine in 2013 Wine Spectators Top 100.

Sep 5th, 2018
Bob McDonald

This Wine is summed up by Tobacco Leaf Liquorice Plum and Leather. 90% Temperanillo 10 % Graciano. Very savoury and dusty-a delicious red from Rioja. Wine Spectator says drink till 2024. Should drink more Spanish Reds.

This Wine is summed up by Tobacco Leaf Liquorice Plum and Leather. 90% Temperanillo 10 % Graciano. Very savoury and dusty-a delicious red from Rioja. Wine Spectator says drink till 2024. Should drink more Spanish Reds.

Nov 26th, 2017
Mike Dombrow

Buyer Sunfish Cellars

8.0

Coconut butter, vanilla, touch of fruit. Maybe some cherry.
I want to not be a hipster fuck, this once, and question or uphold the choice of this wine as the Speculator No. 1 wine but at the end of the glass I say: meh. It's red, wet, and alcoholic. Woulda called it as Washington State Tempranillo.

Coconut butter, vanilla, touch of fruit. Maybe some cherry.
I want to not be a hipster fuck, this once, and question or uphold the choice of this wine as the Speculator No. 1 wine but at the end of the glass I say: meh. It's red, wet, and alcoholic. Woulda called it as Washington State Tempranillo.

2 people found it helpfulSep 29th, 2014
Rebekah Wineburg

Winemaker Buccella Wines

10

Intensity, mix of savory grilled herb, tobacco, and fruit. Can't wait to see how this opens over the meal.

Intensity, mix of savory grilled herb, tobacco, and fruit. Can't wait to see how this opens over the meal.

2 people found it helpfulJan 28th, 2014
Josh Orr

Just beautiful and elegant. Very #msclassic #rioja #delayeddelectable

Just beautiful and elegant. Very #msclassic #rioja #delayeddelectable

Nov 28th, 2015
Jeff Meyers

Young. Needs time. Closed opened after a while but still needs ten years

Young. Needs time. Closed opened after a while but still needs ten years

Nov 20th, 2015
James McFadyen

Wine Consultant and Allocation Specialist at Spec's

9.4

Gorgeous example of this great companies craft.
2004

Gorgeous example of this great companies craft.
2004

Dec 28th, 2014
Corey Zamora, CSW

Very good rioja, good structure, earthy elements, beautiful color. But wine of the year last year? Think not.

Very good rioja, good structure, earthy elements, beautiful color. But wine of the year last year? Think not.

Nov 18th, 2014