Imperial Reserva
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 8 to 20 years from the vintage, though exceptional years can easily cellar for several decades.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted lamb chops with rosemary, slow-cooked beef stews, and aged Manchego cheese.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España), established in 1879 in Haro's historic Barrio de la Estación, is a cornerstone of Rioja winemaking. The 'Imperial' label, first created in the 1920s, owes its name to a unique bottling originally destined for the English market in 'Imperial pint' measures. This legendary wine is crafted only in exceptional vintages from estate-owned old vines in Rioja Alta, primarily around the village of Villalba. The blend is anchored by Tempranillo, complemented by Graciano and Mazuelo. Fermented in large oak vats and aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels before extensive bottle aging, Imperial Reserva represents the pinnacle of traditional Rioja: a harmonious balance of vibrant red fruit, refined acidity, structured tannins, and complex notes of leather, tobacco, and sweet spice.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers in the historic Barrio de la Estación of Haro, Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) is a cornerstone of Rioja winemaking. Still family-controlled today, the estate is celebrated for its harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and architectural innovation, featuring a legendary cellar designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel's studio. CVNE's philosophy centers on meticulous vineyard management across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, producing elegant, structurally complex wines aged in fine oak casks. The winery is globally renowned for its iconic labels, including the historic Imperial Gran Reserva, the fruit-forward Viña Real, and the single-estate expression Contino, which collectively define the pinnacle of classic Spanish Tempranillo.