“Polished and structured with firm, very fine tannins. Lots going on here, with layers of black fruit, dried spices, graphite, coconut and cracked pepper. Full-bodied and so intense. Keeps going. Long. The tannins are so fine and so numerous. One of the greatest modern gran reservas. 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano and 5% mazuelo. Try in 2025.”
98 pts, James Suckling www.jamessuckling.com


2016 CVNE, Gran Reserva Imperial, Rioja 6x75cl
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
1 in stock
EnquiryTasting Notes
James Suckling 98
“Polished and structured with firm, very fine tannins. Lots going on here, with layers of black fruit, dried spices, graphite, coconut and cracked pepper. Full-bodied and so intense. Keeps going. Long. The tannins are so fine and so numerous. One of the greatest modern gran reservas. 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano and 5% mazuelo. Try in 2025.” [15/05/2022]
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2040
Robert Parker 95
“The classical 2016 Imperial Gran Reserva was produced with a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from grapes that were picked between October 10 and 25 with good ripeness, delivering a wine with 14.5% alcohol after fermenting in small oak vats followed by malolactic in concrete and two years in barrel and three in bottle. I was quite surprised, because the wine was quite closed and needed energetic swirling and time in the glass to reveal its true colors. It has more stuffing and finesse than the reserva. 2016 was a very good vintage, with freshness and balance to develop nicely in bottle. The tannins are very fine, and the wine is tasty and long. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2019.” [15/09/2022]
Delivery
We generally use specialised fine wine delivery couriers rather than standard couriers, giving a much higher level of care and accuracy in delivering fine wines safely to you. Wines can be delivered duty-paid to UK addresses upon payment of the required duty, VAT, delivery and storage charges (if applicable). Duty and VAT are as set by HMRC at the time of delivery. Delivery charges are based on number of cases to be delivered and are standard for all UK addresses except highlands and islands. Please ask for a quotation for highlands and islands, transfers to another bonded warehouse and for international transfers.
Please read our Delivery page for more details.
Storage
Mr.Wheeler’s Private Reserves offer perfect storage conditions for your fine wine until you are ready to drink or sell it. Our in-bond facilities are temperature and moisture-controlled, fully insured at replacement value, and accessible whenever you want. At Mr.Wheeler’s specialist wine storage facility in Burton-Upon-Trent, all private client reserves are marked with a unique rotation number as required by HM Revenue & Customs for bonded goods. In addition, each case of wine is clearly identifiable, confirming your ownership.
Please read our Fine Wine Storage page for more details.