Cune Rioja Imperial Reserva 04

CUNE ‘Imperial’ Rioja Reserva 2004 (18.5/20), at 13.9% alc, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, from the Rioja Alta, the wine aged two years in French and US oak. Deep ruby red in colour with garnet hues, this had a very concentrated and tightly bound nose, quite lively, firm and fresh, with pronounced oak vanilla aromatics. On palate very fine-textured and very concentrated, quite densely packed and firm. This has excellent depth. Red fruits still show, alongside the sweet oak. A wine to last a decade plus easily.  RC Aug 10

A serious wine with dark red fruit, chocolate and pepper making dramatic cameos on the nose and palate. Made in an old-fashioned Rioja style, you can almost taste the sweaty atmosphere of a 19th century bodega on the trademark dry, lingering finish. A real conversation piece for your next dinner party. 18.5-/20 AC August 10

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