1994 Imperial Gran Reserva
Buying options
Tasting Notes
This is an intriguing vintage of Imperial, the only one ever to have been fermented in stainless steel as they were switching from cement to wood, but the new vats didn’t arrive in time for the vintage. It was also served at the wedding of Spain’s Crown Prince, who later became King Felipe VI. After the 2004, this marks a shift towards wines dominated by tertiary notes, although there’s still plenty of fruit here. The nose is spicy with mushroom and undergrowth alongside incense and leathery tones. The palate is laden with umami – with fresh leather and dried berry fruit – as well as dried strawberries, supple tannins and refreshing acidity. Fermented in stainless steel, 13.16% alcohol and bottled June 1998.
With the colour starting to show a little bricking and more garnet tones, we are moving into the more mature side of things here. Mulberry, boysenberry, leather and chocolate alongside macerated cherries and a gentle sweetness. The aromatics are worth the entry fee alone, soaring from the glass and the acidity brings to life with real verve and affirmation. Absolutely outstanding.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Excellent to very good. Cold spring after warm winter. Very hot summer and early harvest. Healthy dark crimson. Very ripe on the nose. Round and full and very serious wine. Inky finish – not nearly ready but obviously good quality. Ripe chestnut flavours. Evolving too fast for a Gran Reserva?
Bright ruby-red. Currant, spice cake, mocha, leather and smoke on the nose. Supple but sappy and vinous, with complex, laid-back flavors of cedar, leather and game. The wine's firm acids and underlying minerality restrain its sweetness. But very suave, firmly tannic and long on the aftertaste.
About the producer
CVNE, or Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (the Northern Spanish Wine Company), is one of Rioja’s leading names. With its various brands – Cune, Viña Real, Contino and Imperial – CVNE produces both large volumes and high quality, with its Imperial Gran Reserva one of the region’s finest wines.