A worthy follow up of the 2008, the 2010 Imperial Reserva is the usual blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo (aka Cari?ena) fermented with yeasts selected from their own vineyards and matured in American and French oak barrels for two years before being fined with egg whites and bottled unfiltered. This was a textbook Rioja Alta vintage that produced very balanced, fresh wines with plenty of stuffing. This is no exception, showing some fresh orange-peel notes intermixed with hints of leather, blackberries, cherries and pepper with the oak perfectly folded into the fruit. The texture is soft and the tannin fine-grained. It has good acidity and flavors that start to reveal some development and complexity, although this feels very young. A textbook Reserva with the ability to develop in bottle. 150,000 bottles produced.

Smoky and tarry notes give this rich red an austere character, but plum, licorice, soy and mineral notes promise an expressive future. The tannins and acidity are balanced and unobtrusive. Best from 2016 through 2030. 1,500 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add