The two bottles uncorked of the 1947 Imperial Gran Reserva had very low levels (the stock level at the winery is getting even lower...). The vegetative cycle of the year was quite long, and the grapes achieved good ripeness to reach 13% alcohol after fermenting in concrete and maturing in old 225-liter American oak barrels for 13 years—a slightly lower alcohol and shorter élevage than the Vi?a Real from the same year. This has more development and more volatile sensations with a metallic, iron-like twist. I've had better bottles of this wine in the past, but you know, at age 75, there are not great wines, there are great bottles... Despite the official rating of the vintage by the appellation (Muy Buena, Very Good), at CVNE they had an internal rating where they considered 1947 to be an excellent vintage.

(Bottled August 1960) Still full, dark middle with tawny rim, superb for its age, warm and spicy nose with all the richness of rich years, many-layered concentration of fruit and all still very much there.