“You’d be crazy to pull the cork on this impressively structured Reserva from some of CVNE's best vineyards in the Rioja Alta, such is its ageing potential. But what a wine it is, marrying Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano in a classic cuvée, nicely framed by French and American oak.”

“Saturated, brilliant ruby. Explosive, seductively perfumed aromas of dark berry preserves, cherry-cola, incense, floral oils and vanilla, along with suggestions of mocha, licorice and woodsmoke. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering intense blackberry, cherry preserve and violet pastille flavors and allspice, coconut and star anise flourishes. Distinctly rich yet energetic as well, finishing with resonating floral and spice character, well-integrated tannins and superb mineral-driven persistence.”

“ … this is the more serious Haro-style red, and it has slightly darker fruit and a medium to full-bodied palate with very good grip, powerful but with great balance … 85% Tempranillo and the rest split between Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha … grapes from Rioja Alta fermented with yeasts selected from their own vineyards. The wine matured in French and American oak barrels for two years.”

“ … offering up a pure and complex bouquet of black plums, sweet dark berries, cigar wrapper, toasted coconut, a touch of eucalyptus, a beautiful base of dark soil tones and a suave foundation of oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, ripe and plush at the core, with tangy acids, ripe, firm tannins and outstanding length and grip on the nascently complex and perfectly balanced finish. This is a big boy for an Imperial bottling, but it handles the vintage adroitly and the wine is going to be a knockout in the fullness of time- but, it needs some cellaring to soften up and start to blossom.”