CVNE Imperial Rioja Reserva

€39.99

This is a spectacular Rioja. One of the most famed and celebrated Rioja wines it is a Reserva made in only the best of vintages, representing the very best of the vineyards that CUNÉ own. It has developed from the dense and full, powerful and heady styles of the past into a smooth, complex, refined and svelte wine that is utterly delicious. If you want a head-banger, then this isn't for you: if you want the best grapes from the best sites made with respect for their expressiveness, subtlety and quality in one of the smoothest Riojas going, then, this is the wine for you.

The Imperial winery is a small and unique independent artisanal winery within the original CVNE - or CUNÉ - facility in Haro, where the company was originally founded. The Imperial Reserva has been one of Spain’s finest and most lauded wines since 1920 and it's only produced in years of exceptional harvests.

Given the focus on exceptional quality, within the Eiffel winery, they have put in place rigorous structures around how their wine is made. As an example, during fermentation, the wines are monitored using methods adapted specifically for each vineyard plot, because each plot has different characteristics and adds different elements to the end product.

Eiffel? Yes, the same man behind the eponymous tower and the Statue of Liberty was behind the design of the winery, built in 1909, and has recently been restored. When we went to visit, the only visible part of his work in the winery was a vast ceiling spanning far wider than any other in the day on account of his superb engineering and support structures. It looks a little like a section of the Forth Road bridge. Or the underside of the Eiffel tower...

In the production of Imperial, the winemakers perfectly capture the essence of its soil and impeccable care of their Rioja Alta vineyards. Imperial has its own unique style:, fine, precise and perfectly balanced.

This is a slight departure from the Imperial of, say, 15 years ago, which was far more concentrated and had a much, much bigger oak impact. These days the fruit takes centre-stage. Included in this star turn are the qualities latent to excellent fruit - freshness, acidity, colour, mouth-feel, incredible flavours; all there, but now at the front of the experience with the oak almost right the way at the back. It is a seriously impressive change that has taken place over the last few decades. This is still the flagship standard-bearing Imperial drunk by the royal family, but it is now able to be a celebration of the vineyards and fruit, more than just a celebration of the winemaking. We think that this is a very good development.

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Grape(s): Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha

Style: Vibrant, Structured, Smooth, Refined, Medium Bodied, Intense, Fruity, Elegant, Complex, Bright

Best food matches: Steak, Poultry, Mature Cheeses, Lamb, Grills, Fine Dining

Alcohol: 14%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

★★★★★
Great choice and excellent service. Received my delivery the next day.
Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
★★★★★
A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
N. Dowling
★★★★★
Delicious and interesting range of wines delivered promptly to my door. Not far off that lovely feeling of coming back laden from a good wine store but without any of the traffic or the worry of breaking the wine en route (very impressive travel wrap).
M. Dorman
★★★★★
Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
David M.
★★★★★
Great selection of wines, hassle free ordering, payment and delivery. Highly recommended.
Patrick H.
Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.