The colour is deep ruby. On the nose attractive and complex, combining the fruit driven notes from the blend of varieties with those from the ageing in French and American oak barrels. Black cherries, plums, vanilla, cocoa powder, and some rosemary, among others. In the mouth well rounded, with depth and structure. Opulent and elegant, warm and fresh at the same time. A pleasantly sweet finish and a long and savoury aftertaste.
A very classic Rioja made with 85% Tempranillo and the rest Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha.
The Imperial winery is a small and independent artisanal winery within the original CVNE facility in Haro. It takes its name from a special bottling historically made for the English market: a bottle known as the Imperial Pint (an imperial pint is approximately half a litre).
Barrels are aged in a cellar built by Gustave Eiffel between 1890 and 1909. Truly revolutionary, this imposing structure provided an innovative formula to support its construction. Without columns, the roof is supported by steel trusses, running from wall to wall allowing for a large open space that significantly improved the management of barrels in the cellar, to make racking, maintenance, and monitoring of the wine barrels easier.
CVNE was founded in 1879 in the town of Haro in Rioja by two brothers: Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asúa. It is still controlled by the direct descendants of the founding family.
Imperial wines are only produced in years with outstanding harvests.
This bottle sells at Coop for 36.50 CHF.
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Grapes: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, Garnacha/Grenache
Type: Red
Vintage: 2016
Producer: Compañia Vinícola del Norte de España
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 5/5