1980 Imperial Gran Reserva
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Tasting notes
As CEO Victor Urrutia said, 1980 was “a shit vintage” – and has always been in the shadow of 1981 and 1982. Tasting the wine today, that’s probably fair – however it’s still an impressive wine. The nose has a distinctly herbal, menthol edge to the sweet fruit – macerated strawberries, with a balsamic hint. The tannins still offer bite, while the fruit shifts to darker, more bramble tones towards the finish. Fermented in concrete, 13.4% alcohol and bottled May 1985.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
1980 was, according to Victor Utturia, wet and miserable. For a miserable vintage this wine is quite magical. Smells of roses, of strawberries! Then cinnamon. Silky, real flow, mouth-filling juice. This is stunning. Chocolate and orange, guava roll. I am in love. So succulent. The rustle of autumn leaves. Diaphanous. Like cashmere ribbons. Stunningly autumnal. Soft buttered morels. This is glorious. Clementine sweetness. Exquisitely fine. Quite possibly my favourite wine of the entire vertical. (TC)
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.