1976 Imperial Gran Reserva
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Tasting notes
This is the essence of Imperial’s ability to age – there is still a core of maturing sweet fruit, a marvellous minerality and tension with classic Rioja notes of sweet spice, the sweetness of fading leather and a wood spice reminiscent of old Burgundy. The acidity continues to show wonderfully which brings such life to this and shows that the wine is still very much in middle age and is only going to continue to develop, with such a core of structure. Great length and intensity with addictive aromas that keep dancing from the glass.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Pale ruby. Light nose. Sweet and charred. Lots of life and a little bite on the end. Complex and fresh with a note of soy sauce. (JR)
Dark crimson. There still seems to be some oak on the nose here! But not in a bad way. Very firm and confident and beautifully balanced in savoury mode. Spreads right across the palate. Great delicacy. Majestic wine in the St-Julien idiom of beautiful balance. Masses of ripe fruit but all contained in a great corset. Seems indomitable. (JR)
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.