Imperial 1976 Reserva

Wine: Imperial 1976 Reserva
Winery: CVNE - Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo.
ABV: (Not specified) 

Winemaking:
The wine spent 12 months in tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before wood aging. It matured for approximately 36 months in semi-neutral 225-liter oak barrels (70% American oak and 30% French oak), undergoing several manual rackings each year. A minimum of 36 months of bottle aging in the winery’s subterranean cellars was required before its commercial release in the mid-1980s. (Note: The winery performs re-corking every 20 years to ensure preservation). 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Reddish-ruby color with medium-low depth; clear, clean, and luminous. Featuring vibrant brick-red and coppery reflections. Broad orange rim, showing minimal variation against the meniscus. 

 

Nose: Medium intensity, frank, and open. Initially, it displays a significant amount of very ripe, candied fruit (plum, morello cherry, quince), intertwined with notes of cloves and laurel, followed by a faint, barely perceptible hint of old leather. As it opens, it becomes increasingly spicy and gains potency, though the initial fruit nuances eventually dissipate. It concludes with an array of crushed peppers, damp earth, leaf litter, and coffee beans, alongside elusive and intriguing notes of pitch and tar.

 

Palate: The initial sensation is one of firmness and austerity. It is dry and seamless, driven by a core of acidic, spicy red fruit that does not detract from the overall sobriety of the ensemble. A well-resolved and integrated red that, when tasted alongside the 1975 Reserva, appeared less brilliant and expressive. It may have passed its peak, beginning to show subtle signs of decline.

 

Commentary:
The 1976 Imperial Reserva is a wine of undeniable technical correctness and sobriety. While it lacks the exuberant radiance of the legendary 1975 vintage, it remains a solid representation of CVNE’s classical style. Its firm structure and spicy complexity offer a dignified drinking experience, although its current state suggests it should be enjoyed sooner rather than later.

 

Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Average: 89