Imperial 1966 Gran Reserva

Wine: Imperial 1966 Gran Reserva
Winery: CVNE - Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo and Graciano, 5% Viura.
ABV: (Not specified) 

Winemaking:
The wine spent between 12 and 24 months in large, neutral oak vats to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before racking. It matured for approximately 10 years in semi-neutral 225-liter oak barrels (70% American and 30% French). Depending on the harvest, it rested for 36 to 60 months in the winery’s subterranean cellars before its commercial release in the late 1970s. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Reddish-ruby color with medium depth; clear, clean, and open. Featuring brilliant coppery and golden reflections, with no trace of sediment. Broad orange rim.

 

Nose: A multifaceted and serious bouquet, replete with intricate details. It opens with an exceptionally elegant note of freshly ground coffee, followed by exotic woods, cedar, cloves, cinnamon bundles, and orange zest. A perfume of old leather and withered petals follows. It resists deeper reduction—showing no dampness, fungal, or autumnal notes—allowing the strength of red fruits to emerge: pomegranate juice, strawberry tree fruit in liqueur, and a cold hibiscus infusion with a wild, bramble-like edge. Clean and remarkably fresh.

 

Palate: Taut and polished in texture, with tannins that seem to radiate. It does not merely sit on the palate; it flows with immense freshness and disappears effortlessly. It is crisp, cool, and acidic, with a persistent "tinkle" of savory red fruit that sparkles alongside a commanding, vibrant acidity.

 

Commentary:
The 1966 Imperial Gran Reserva is a wine that defies easy categorization. Sitting stylistically between the legendary 1964 and 1968 vintages, it trades their sheer muscularity for a more fluid, polished, and ethereal elegance. It is a stunning example of CVNE’s consistency during the 1960s, offering a vibrant and fresh sensory experience that remains remarkably youthful. 

 

Personal Score: 95
Tasting Group Average: 96