CVNE Cune Imperial Reserva DOC 2020
(Rioja, Spain) - [DM 94] [JS 94] [WA 93+] [VM 93] [WS 93]

About the Winery:
CVNE (Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España) is one of the most renowned and historic bodegas in all of Spain. Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo, the company has been an integral part of the Rioja region's ascendance in the world of fine wine.

With their combination of traditional roots and innovative vision, CVNE has been one of Rioja's most reliable sources for high quality wine. The company is still run by descendants of the Real de Asúa brothers, now represented by the fifth generation with current CEO Victor Urrutia Ybarra.

About this Wine:
Our finest Rioja Alta vineyards are destined for the production of Imperial Gran Reserva, the plots from which the grapes are harvested are located between 550 and 650 m of altitude with a climate of Atlantic and continental influence. The vines are bush trained, dry farmed and the plots are small. The soils are clay with areas of river pebbles, are low in organic matter and are situated on gentle south facing slopes.

Imperial Reserva is an iconic Rioja and Spanish wine. This wine is designed to last and improve over time.

The harvest is made manually of selected vineyards, with a double selection of grapes both in the vineyard as in the winery. Cold refrigeration of whole bunches in order to improve fruit extraction and color stability. The crushed grapes were transported by gravity to small oak vats for maceration with cold temperature for a few hours. Followed by fermentation with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperature between 28 and 29ºC. Punching and delestage are carried out daily during fermentation, as well as tastings to determine the perfect moment for draining the vat. After completing the malolactic fermentation in concrete vats, the wine is aged for two years in French and American oak barrels, new and from one wine, with rackings every 8 months, followed by aging in bottle in our century-old cellars until the wine is released to the market.

85% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, Mazuelo, Garnacha

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Beautiful nose with lifted herbal notes hovering over the lush black and blue fruit. Tannins are fresh and well presented lending fluidity to the fruit. The mineral backbone as further support to the framework. An alluring, long finish of zesty citrus married with herbal intensity (oregano and thyme)." - Ines Salpico (Mar 2025)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"A tight, structured Rioja with blackcurrants, sandalwood, coffee and cassis on the nose, followed by a chewy, toasty and medium- to full-bodied palate. Firm, dusty tannins. Compact. Better after 2026." (Aug 2024)

93+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2020 Imperial Reserva was produced with a blend of Tempranillo and 15% Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha grapes that were put through optical sorting and fermented in oak vats by vineyard, and the wine matured for 24 months in barrels, 70% French and the rest American. It has a shy nose that takes time to open up in the glass, but it is surprisingly harmonious and balanced and fresh for the year. It has a little more ripeness, but there's no excess at all; it has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.65 and 5.44 grams of acidity. It has notes of spices, cigar box and ash, berries and wild herbs and a sleek and polished palate with resolved tannins. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2023." – Luis Gutierrez (Feb 2025)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Reserva Imperial is 85% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from estate vineyards in Torremontalbo and Villalba, Rioja Alta. Aged 24 months in 30% American and 70% French oak barrels, red fruit like sweet and sour cherry define the aromatic profile, with restrained oak on the finish. Balanced, with a gentle chalky texture and medium freshness, this is a long-lasting, harmonious, classic Rioja. – Joaquin Hidalgo (May 2025)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A medium-bodied red, with good focus to its notes of ripe black cherry and Damson plum, black tea, incense, paprika and milled pepper. Bright and graceful overall, this harmonious version integrates firm, fine-grained tannins and a stony underpinning that lingers on the finish. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2035. 12,500 cases made, 1,500 cases imported. – Alison Napjus (Dec 2024)