The 1970 Imperial Gran Reserva reveals a brick/garnet rim. The bouquet is lovely showing the results of extended cellaring. Exceptionally refined and ethereal, notes of cinnamon, dried fruits, and other spices lead to an elegant, savory, fully intact wine that is a pleasure to drink. Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana (C.V.N.E.) is known colloquially to most Spanish wine drinkers as Cune. The company was founded in 1879 by the Real de Asua brothers and still remains in control of their direct descendants. In the 1920s ownership started Vina Real and in 2004 a new winery was built in Laguardia. In 1973 Contino was created to further the concept of the single estate winery and has since been one of the principal leaders in the resurrection of the nearly extinct Graciano grape. The Contino wines are made exclusively from the estate’s 253 acres located in Laserna near the town of Laguardia. The Reserva bottling is the mainstay of the Contino lineup produced from vines ranging in age from 25 to 60 years. The Contino Vina Del Olivo is the product of a dry farmed single vineyard of the same name planted in 1980. The blend is 90% Tempranillo with the balance Graciano and Carinena aged in new oak for 18 months. The Imperial label is affixed at C.V.N.E. only in the top vintages. Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin, www.europvin.com

(Bottled March 1975) Fine tawny red, very good middle depth and brightness for 40 years old, faintly Tawny Port nose of sweet red fruits, warm and quite robust still, acidity showing and without the natural richness of Tempranillo it would be drying out, elegant finish but not for keeping.