Wine: Imperial 1973 Gran ReservaWinery: CVNE - Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 10% Mazuelo
ABV: 13%
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 10% Mazuelo
ABV: 13%
Winemaking
The wine spent 12 months in tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and settle before being transferred to wood. It then matured for 36 months in semi-seasoned 225-liter barrels (70% American oak, 30% French oak). Depending on the vintage, it is aged for a further 36 to 60 months in the winery’s subterranean bottle cellars (calados) prior to its commercial release in the early 1980s.
The wine spent 12 months in tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and settle before being transferred to wood. It then matured for 36 months in semi-seasoned 225-liter barrels (70% American oak, 30% French oak). Depending on the vintage, it is aged for a further 36 to 60 months in the winery’s subterranean bottle cellars (calados) prior to its commercial release in the early 1980s.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Brownish-ruby of medium body; clear and bright with copper and amber highlights. It features a broad, brick-colored rim.
Nose:
Generous and expressive; a wine fully "delivered" and elegant, showing
impressive maturity and approachability. This is an Imperial in a state
of grace, reconnecting us with the great, timeless Riojas. Powerful and
communicative, it offers a burst of freshly roasted cocoa, aromatic
coffee, and stewed black fruit (macerated plums, raisins, carob, and
figs). These notes are complemented by creamy undertones, vanilla,
chocolate liqueur, and a hint of sour cherry marmalade, ripe red fruit,
and candied citrus peel. It is seemingly endless. As it breathes, an
array of earthy aromas emerges: noble woods, humus, leaf litter,
peppercorns, spices, cigar box, and pipe tobacco.
Palate:
It floods the palate—savory and rich with toasted and chocolate-like
notes, backed by a breathtaking acidity and firm tannins. Exceptional
structure and elegance; persistent and overflowing with fruit preserves,
sweet citrus, and spices. Long, broad, rounded, and perfectly poised.
It possesses everything in abundance: as serious as it is accessible.
Another masterpiece from 1973 that continues to demonstrate the
vintage's capacity for creating "time bombs" that, like this one,
explode 40 years later. On par with the legendary Imperial Gran Reserva
vintages.
Personal Score: 96
Tasting Group Score: 97
Tasting Group Score: 97
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