Imperial Reserva 2020
Imperial, the value of the brand
With a century of history, Imperial Reserva 2020 (93+ Parker points) is one of the most outstanding assets of Spanish wine.
With a century of history, Imperial Reserva 2020 is one of the great assets of Spanish wine, a wine whose vinification guidelines demonstrate that many things are evolving in the world of long-aged national wines, and CVNE is not oblivious to these changes. A surprising example of how this centenary winery embraces the trend of producing extremely subtle wines, adhering to modern winemaking parameters and philosophy, and aligning with current market tastes, yet without losing an ounce of the essence that has made it legendary.
Few brands in the Spanish wine market have a presentation and impact like this symbol of the Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE), a company that, for over a century, has been expanding its magnificent wine heritage and growing, not only in the Barrio de la Estación, but also through avant-garde projects at different times in its history, such as the creation of Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino or Bodegas Viña Real.
After a double selection process, both in the field and in the winery, and its preservation in cold storage for 24 hours, the grapes that give rise to Imperial Reserva 2020, sourced from vineyards over 40 years old, are gravity-fed into French oak vats, where alcoholic fermentation takes place. A long aging process of two years in French and American oak barrels, and a final rounding of the wine in the bottle for three more years, shape an exceptional red wine from the D.O.Ca. Rioja that is only produced in exceptional vintages.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
Graciano, Garnacha tinta, 85% Tempranillo, Mazuelo
Type of barrel
Barriques of French and American oak
Type of bottle
Bordeaux Bottle
Barrel aging time
24 months
Capacity (cl)
75
General Information
With a century of history, Imperial Reserva 2020 is one of the great assets of Spanish wine, a wine whose vinification guidelines demonstrate that many things are evolving in the world of long-aged national wines, and CVNE is not oblivious to these changes. A surprising example of how this centenary winery embraces the trend of producing extremely subtle wines, adhering to modern winemaking parameters and philosophy, and aligning with current market tastes, yet without losing an ounce of the essence that has made it legendary.
Few brands in the Spanish wine market have a presentation and impact like this symbol of the Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE), a company that, for over a century, has been expanding its magnificent wine heritage and growing, not only in the Barrio de la Estación, but also through avant-garde projects at different times in its history, such as the creation of Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino or Bodegas Viña Real.
After a double selection process, both in the field and in the winery, and its preservation in cold storage for 24 hours, the grapes that give rise to Imperial Reserva 2020, sourced from vineyards over 40 years old, are gravity-fed into French oak vats, where alcoholic fermentation takes place. A long aging process of two years in French and American oak barrels, and a final rounding of the wine in the bottle for three more years, shape an exceptional red wine from the D.O.Ca. Rioja that is only produced in exceptional vintages.
Creators' opinion
Imperial Reserva is a wine with a garnet color and high intensity.
On the nose, we find good aromatic complexity provided by the balance between youth and aging, where aromas of wild berries, licorice, spices, balsamic notes, smoked hints… invite us to enjoy the wine.
On the palate, it has a smooth entry, marked by tannins that give it personality and elegance. The finish is fresh with a complex, long-lasting, and fruity aftertaste.
As a pairing, we recommend good company, red meats, stews, game, cheeses, or simply enjoying it alone in a relaxed setting.
The harvest in the vineyards of Imperial begins on September 24 and ends on October 16.
The vegetative cycle lasted 185 days, and the condition of the vineyard was very good in terms of health throughout the area.
Due to thermal fluctuations and light rainfall during May and June, the grape quantity was reduced, resulting in small, loose clusters, less compact, which significantly increased the quality.
The grape's development was delayed compared to last year, but the low yields caused earlier ripening, aligning the harvest dates.
The grape picking proceeded calmly and gradually, allowing for good selection of the grapes both in the field and at the winery.
The winery
The Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España is one of the great symbols of the Estación de Haro neighborhood, the great capital of Rioja wine. Founded in 1879 by the brothers Raimundo and Eusebio Real de Asúa, CVNE (as it is known worldwide) can proudly claim to have remained at the top throughout its history. Ten years after its creation, the winery inaugurated an impressive barrel hall designed by the studio of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. By 1900, it was already producing nearly 80,000 bottles, an unthinkable feat for the time. The 20th century established CVNE as an institution of Spanish wine.
Over 140 years, it has successfully combined tradition and innovation to create wines that today are the standard-bearers of Rioja reds and have garnered international critical acclaim. Its Imperial Gran Reserva 2004 made history when it was chosen as Wine of the Year 2013 by the prestigious American magazine Wine Spectator, marking the first time a Spanish wine received this recognition.
Since its foundation, CVNE has expanded its heritage and grown with avant-garde projects at different times in its history, such as the creation of Viñedos del Contino or Viña Real.