Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo
75cl * Vegan * 14.5% ABV * Rioja, Spain
Sourced from 40-year-old vines owned by one of the largest and most highly regarded companies in Rioja. Rioja Alta vineyards are destined for the production of Imperial Gran Reserva, which is only made when harvests are exceptional. The wine is aged for a minimum of 24 months in new French and American oak barrels, with racking every 8 months. Finally, the bottles are aged in the bottle for a minimum of 36 months in hundred-year-old cellars before finally being released onto the market.
Aromas of dark cherry and vanilla, clove and rich spice are the first thing to tantalisingly welcome the drinker to this fine wine. More aromatics abound the more you nose the wine, rich dark fruit compote, liquorice, chocolate and even something a little balsamic. The palate is silky and smooth with well integrated tannins. Dark fruits, dried fruits, spices, cured meats abound amongst myriad other wonderful tasting notes. The finish is long and sustained
Pair with red meat, game, oily fish, and strong cheese.
97 Points, James Suckling, 2021, 'This is very ripe with blackberries, dried fruit, toasted oak and black licorice on the nose. Full-bodied with ultra-fine, linear tannins and a racy, refined finish. This has fantastic structure and length. It goes on for minutes. It needs time to open and refine even more. One of the best Imperial Gran Reservas in a very long time. Drink after 2023.'
Drink to 2050.