• Spain, Rioja
• Blend: 85% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano y Mazuelo
• Alc 14% by vol
• Bottle Size: 750ml

CVNE, Compañía Vinícola del Norte del España, was founded in 1879 in the town of Haro in Rioja. CVNE was founded by two brothers and today is still controlled by the direct descendants of the founding family. Since its inception, CVNE has been focused on the production and aging of wines and now comprises of four wineries: CVNE, Imperial, Vina Real and Contino.

This Imperial Gran Reserva wine is a blend between 85% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano y Mazuelo, fermented in small oak vats and concrete tanks, and aged for two years in barrel, for complexity. The wine is then aged in bottle for a few more years before release.

2016 is an excellent vintage with 98 points James Suckling, 95 points Wine Enthusiast. Expect notes of ripe raspberry, black plums, dried green herbs and cocoa on the nose, a dense palate with cherries, leather, spices and caramel, with fine tannins, soft acidity, and a long savory finish. Drink now or age for another 10 years.