2014 CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

Imperial is the flagship of the winery and was ranked the world's number one wine in 2013 by Wine Spectator (the first wine in Spain to receive the accolade). It is one of the great names in Spanish winemaking. A true Rioja Classic, it was first produced in the 1920s. It is only made in vintages that the company classifies as Excellent. Imperial Gran Reserva is an iconic Rioja and Spanish wine. It is only made when harvests are exceptional. This wine is designed to last and improve over time. The wine is then aged for a minimum of 24 months in new French and American oak barrels, with racking every 8 months. Finally, the bottles are aged for a minimum of 36 months in our hundred-year-old cellars before finally being released onto the market.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

In 1879, the Real de Asúa brothers arrived in Haro to embark on what would become one of the longest-standing histories in the wine world. A trip initially taken for health reasons led to the creation of Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (C.V.N.E.) in the iconic Barrio de la Estación railway station.

This marked the birth of a family winery that has grown over five generations. Today, the winery is still run by the same family, producing quality, artisanal and traditional wines that grace tables in more than 90 countries. An industry leader in Spain and winner of prestigious wine awards including accolades from Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate over the course of its history, CVNE has continued to grow while always remaining true to its objective of creating premium wines and tapping into the potential of the outstanding vineyards in its environs. The group currently has seven wineries in Spain’s principal wine-growing regions: CVNE, Imperial, Viña Real and Viñedos del Contino in Rioja, Roger Goulart in Penedés, Bela in Ribera del Duero, and Virgen del Galir in Valdeorras.