2020 Imperial Reserva, CVNE, Rioja
CVNE's benchmark Reserva, made only in exceptional years
Why You'll Love It
- Made Only in Exceptional Years
CVNE produces its Imperial wines only when the vintage meets its exacting standards. - From 40-Year-Old Rioja Alta Vines
Hand-picked fruit from CVNE’s own vineyards, made with meticulous attention from vineyard to bottle. - Special Spectator Offer
Now £24.50 per bottle, down from £29.95..
Jonathan Ray's Verdict
"CVNE's artisanally produced Imperial wines are only ever made in exceptional years and the 2020 CVNE Imperial Reserva is a cracker, made from the hand-picked fruit of 40-year-old vines, fermented, aged and blended with almost obsessive care. Once I’d finally managed to interrupt the sisters’ debate about outside lighting and the relative merits of Aldi’s special buys vs Dunelm, we got properly stuck in. Mrs Ray loved the soft black fruit, Felicity the whispers of vanilla and I the remarkable concentration of flavour and, well, its sheer elegance."
- Jonathan Ray, The Spectator Magazine (tasted August 2026)
A Benchmark Rioja from CVNE
Imperial has long been our benchmark Rioja, the wine against which we find ourselves comparing others. Made primarily from Tempranillo, with small amounts of Garnacha and Graciano, the fruit comes exclusively from CVNE’s own 40-year-old-plus vineyards in Rioja Alta.
The care that goes into Imperial shows in the glass. There is concentration and structure, but no rough edges; ripe fruit, fine oak and soft tannins come together with impressive elegance. The 2020 is another fine example of why this remains such an important wine for CVNE – and at £24.50 in The Spectator offer, one we're very pleased to recommend.