The classical 2016 Imperial Gran Reserva was produced with a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from grapes that were picked between October 10 and 25 with good ripeness, delivering a wine with 14.5% alcohol after fermenting in small oak vats followed by malolactic in concrete and two years in barrel and three in bottle. I was quite surprised, because the wine was quite closed and needed energetic swirling and time in the glass to reveal its true colors. It has more stuffing and finesse than the reserva. 2016 was a very good vintage, with freshness and balance to develop nicely in bottle. The tannins are very fine, and the wine is tasty and long. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2019.

CVNE reinvented their Imperial wines several times. This new version is probably one of my favourites, because it puts together lots of ripe fruit intensity, French oak influence and shorter oak ageing periods with classic balance and Rioja's sumptuosity, built with excellent Tempranillo and Graciano fruit. Powerful, marked by oak ageing but not oxidative, juicy, open. Very serious, I am certain that it will continue to develop positively bet for its positive development over many years in bottle.

For reports and full tasting notes, go toTim Atkin MW's website.