This is one of Rioja’s benchmark Gran Reservas, produced only in strong vintages and designed with long ageing in mind. CVNE’s Imperial range sits at the top of their portfolio, sourced from some of their best vineyards in Rioja Alta, with a focus on structure, balance, and the ability to evolve over time. The 2012 vintage was warm and dry, which gives the wine a natural sense of ripeness, though this is shaped by extended ageing in oak and bottle, bringing everything into a more settled and composed state. In Magnum, that development is slower and more even, so the wine feels less about individual elements and more about how everything has come together. There is a clear sense of maturity from the outset, with the fruit no longer leading but sitting within a fully integrated structure. Nothing feels sharp or separate, and the wine opens in a calm, measured way, already showing a high level of cohesion.
Across the palate, it holds a steady, uninterrupted line, where ripe fruit, spice, and savoury notes move together without contrast. The oak influence is fully absorbed, adding depth and warmth without standing out, which gives the wine a seamless, continuous flow. The texture is one of the defining features, with fine, softened tannins that still provide structure, allowing the wine to feel both refined and grounded. There is weight here, but it is controlled, with a balance that keeps everything in place. Overall, this is a mature and complete Rioja, where time and format have brought a strong vintage into a more harmonious and integrated expression, with the emphasis on balance, depth, and long development rather than freshness or intensity.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Layered and composed, with blackberry, dried cherry, and subtle balsamic notes, alongside spice and a hint of cedar.
Palate:
Smooth and structured, with dark fruit and savoury tones moving together in a steady, integrated flow.
Finish:
Long and refined, with spice and dried fruit fading into a dry, persistent, and balanced close.
