CVNE, Imperial Reserva, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2015

Made only in the best vintages from CVNE's oldest vineyards, Imperial is always a reliable, go-to Rioja. There's a lovely balance here between primary fruit and slightly evolved characters. Fermented in French oak vats, the wine is then aged in French and American oak for a year followed by further ageing in bottle. A classic, expressive Rioja full of strawberries and cream flavours.

CVNE’s Imperial dates back to the 1920s, and is named after a special bottling in British Imperial pint measures (around 50cl). Fortunately it’s firmly 75cl these days. It’s a Rioja classic, from Rioja Alta vineyards, aged for the regulation 24 months in French and American oak barrels. Notes of cedar and liquorice on the nose, follow through to an elegant, midweight palate with well-balanced alcohol.