Cune Imperial Gran Reserva 2018

Cune Imperial Gran Reserva is a red from CVNE, a historic Rioja house established in the late 19th century. The blend is led by Tempranillo with smaller portions of Graciano and Mazuelo, sourced from 45-year-old vines around the village of Villalba in Rioja Alta. The high-altitude, cooler Rioja Alta sites give slow ripening and bright acidity, the backbone that lets this wine age. Graciano adds acidity, colour and aromatic lift, while Mazuelo brings tannin and structure. The wine spends 24 months in French and American oak followed by 38 months in bottle, the Gran Reserva regime, during which slow oxygen exchange in barrel and extended bottle ageing soften the tannins and develop tertiary aromas of leather, tobacco and dried herbs. The colour is cherry-red with garnet at the rim. The nose is layered, with mature red cherry and red berries over tobacco, leather, vanilla and a sweet spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied at 14 percent, with fine, resolved tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. It is certified vegan. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant. It suits roast lamb, game and aged cheese.