Founded in 1879 and still family-owned, CVNE is one of Spain's most historic producers, with eight wineries across Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Valdeorras, Rías Baixas and Cava.
Imperial is its flagship, made only in exceptional vintages since 1920; recognised worldwide, including Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year 2013 (for the 2004 vintage).
The Gran Reserva was aged 24 months in oak (80% French, 20% American) and further in bottle, achieving refinement, depth, power and the structure to evolve gracefully for decades.
Imperial Gran Reserva 2009
“This shows plenty of fruit, with tobacco leaf, dark fruit and subtle spices with a vermouth-like nuance. Very elegant, medium- to full-bodied, leaning more toward medium, with precise fruit and powdery fine tannins. Beginning to show some evolution, elegant yet with a firm structure. Drink or hold.”
95 points, Jacobo García Andrade, James Suckling, Jul 2026
“Aromatically bursting with red fruits, this is very perfumed, full flavoured wine with notes of cranberries. It is a mouthwatering, confident wine that will last a long time.”
95 points, Sarah Jane Evans, Decanter, Mar 2018
Imperial Gran Reserva 2010
“This shows dark fruit with notes of tea and underbrush. Medium- to full-bodied, with an elegant, almost ethereal sense of fruit and clear definition. Framed by fine-grained tannins that are firm yet well integrated. Enjoyable now but with a long life ahead. Drink or hold.”
96 points, Jacobo García Andrade, James Suckling, Jul 2026
“Old vine parcels in Briones and Villalba provide the fruit for this exceptional blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. This is a wine to drink now or, better still, cellar for a decade or more: sweet oak, black fruits, Asian spices and remarkable focus and freshness. Great value, too.”
97 points, Tim Atkin, Tim Atkin, Jan 2017
Imperial Gran Reserva 2011
“This shows blackberries with some tobacco showing subtle evolution. Medium- to full-bodied, still coming together with a particular brightness in the acidity that complements the dark fruit and discreet earthy notes. Compared with the more structured 2010, this is more approachable yet should evolve nicely, maintaining its elegance. A blend of mostly tempranillo with graciano and mazuelo. Drink or hold.”
96 points, Jacobo García Andrade, James Suckling, Jul 2026
“This is a fabulous gran reserva from a very good but lightly heralded vintage. Aromas of spiced plum, black olive, fig, tobacco and cassis come together like a puzzle. A deep, pure palate shows near-perfect balance, while this tastes of plum, berry fruits and earthy spice. Smooth, elegant and chocolaty on the finish, this delivers all one can ask for from Rioja”
97 points & 5th in Top 100, Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2019
This is a case of 3, one each of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 and is coming to us direct from the bodega where the wines have obviously been very well cared for.
Supplies are limited with delivery expected December 2026.
