Imperial 1981 Gran Reserva

Wine: Imperial 1981 Gran 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: 13% vol. 

Winemaking:
The wine remained in tanks for 12 months to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before wood aging. It matured for 36 months in semi-neutral 225-liter oak barrels (70% American and 30% French). Following this, it rested for 36 to 60 months in the winery’s subterranean cellars before its commercial release at the end of the 1980s. (Note: The winery performs systematic re-corking every 20 years to ensure longevity). 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Dark reddish-ruby color with medium-high depth; well-extracted. Featuring radiant reddish and amber reflections. Brilliant and limpid, with no trace of sediment. Broad orange rim. 

 

Nose: A truly grand Imperial that lives up to its name. It presents an impressive initial display, highly refined at this stage. It unfolds high-quality toasted and smoky notes—freshly ground coffee, cocoa butter, and nutmeg—seamlessly integrated with the most elegant wood imaginable. The bouquet is complex and rich in detail, featuring a delicate reduction where fine leather and Virginia tobacco threads meet the remarkable purity of reduced red fruit, with nuances of laurel and sloe gin. The overall profile remains exquisitely ethereal. 

 

Palate: Full-bodied, lively, and savory, with an overflowing abundance of fresh fruit. It is mature and juicy, deeply spiced, revealing a marked sweetness that contrasts beautifully with a sharp, commanding acidity. While there is a distinct shift between the nose and the palate, the result is impeccably balanced and smooth. A superb wine that exceeds all expectations.

 

Commentary:
The 1981 Imperial Gran Reserva is a masterpiece of balance and vitality. It captures the essence of Haro’s classical winemaking while displaying a freshness that suggests a long, promising future in the bottle. It is a wine of immense enjoyment that manages to be both powerful and sophisticated. Waiting for its full evolution will be the ultimate test of patience for any collector.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Average: 94