Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2015: best 2023 to 2045.
vintage8 yrs30 yrs32 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Spectator reviewed 2013 | 2004 | 95/100 |
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2022 | 2015 | 95/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, sweet spice
Palate: macerated red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury
Made only from Rioja Alta fruit in the best years; the 2004 was the first Spanish wine named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year in 2013. Classical, savoury and long.
What it pairs with
-
Cordero asado al sarmiento
Vine-roast lamb is the historic match for this grand Gran Reserva. -
Roast partridge
Game's depth meets the wine's tobacco and dried cherry. -
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
An aged-beef chop frames the wine's fine tannin and savoury oak. -
Aged Idiazabal
Smoked Basque cheese mirrors the cedar and balsamic.
How to serve Imperial Gran Reserva
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cordero asado al sarmiento, Roast partridge, Chuleton de buey a la brasa. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Imperial began as a magnum bottling for the British market and became CVNE's prestige red, made only from Rioja Alta fruit in top years. The 2004 was Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2013, the first Spanish wine so honoured.
- 1920: Imperial established as a prestige bottling
- 2013: 2004 vintage named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year
Facts
- Producer
- CVNE · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%), Mazuelo (5%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 24 to 30 months in French and American oak, then long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 45 to 80 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1920
Frequently asked about Imperial Gran Reserva
What does Imperial Gran Reserva taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, sweet spice. On the palate, macerated red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a very long finish. Made only from Rioja Alta fruit in the best years; the 2004 was the first Spanish wine named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year in 2013. Classical, savoury and long.
When should I drink Imperial Gran Reserva?
Drink 8 to 30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Imperial Gran Reserva?
Cordero asado al sarmiento is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roast partridge and Chuleton de buey a la brasa. Vine-roast lamb is the historic match for this grand Gran Reserva.
Is Imperial Gran Reserva vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Imperial Gran Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (85%), Graciano (10%), Mazuelo (5%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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