Description
Imperial is one of the great names in Spanish winemaking. It is a true classic in Rioja and was first made in the 1920’s. Its name comes from a special bottling for the English market made in a bottle size of a ‘Pinta Imperial’ or ‘Imperial Pint’ which is approximately equivalent to half a liter.
Intense body of cherry color with beautiful purple highlights. Attractive aroma of forest fruits, violets and licorice with reminiscences to Atlantic forest with notes to clove and cigar leaves. In the mouth we notice its softness and finesse in perfect balance with a silky tannin which makes us reach a long and balsamic aftertaste where the aromas are intermingled to make this wine elegant. It pairs perfectly with fatty fish, game, red meat and cured cheeses.
Blend: 85% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha
Critical Acclaim
WE93
Wine Enthusiast
Imperial Reserva is a personal favorite, and from a vintage plagued by rain this is a swinging success. Rich aromas of maple are prominent, with solid berry fruit as the canvas. Punchy acidity seems raw at first, but it’s the proper carrying vessel for tangy, spicy dried-fruit flavors that settle on cranberry and plum. Drink through 2032.
RP92
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The 2014 Imperial Reserva is 85% Tempranillo with 5% each of Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha fermented in stainless steel vats and matured in oak barrels for two years. It’s the more balsamic and aromatic of all the Reservas, with intoxicating aromas of cigar box, ash, incense, old furniture, faint smoke and spices. There is good ripeness, without excess. I think this is a real triumph over the challenging conditions of the year, with harmony and balance, good acidity and very fine tannins. It’s not a super vintage, but a noteworthy one, with all that is needed to develop in bottle. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2017.
Rating: 92+
WS92
Wine Spectator
This red is aromatic, with floral and spice notes that follow through on the round, tender palate, mingling with berry, cherry and vanilla flavors. Supple, structured more by sweet-tart acidity than the light tannins. Distinctive and alluring. Drink now through 2024.
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