2001 Gran Reserva Imperial Family Cellar (2022 Release)

85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. According to Pedro Ballesteros MW, presenting the wines, 2001 was an amazing vintage in Rioja, the best he has ever tasted. One of the early classics with investment from France. The railway allowed them to export. Fermented and aged in French and American oak, clarified with egg whites. The wine was named after the imperial pint. Deep bricky red. Sweet, evolved red fruit. Raisins and figs and leather. A touch of mocha and lavender. So smooth, luxurious and generous. Still with a long life ahead but at a great moment to drink this. Open, inviting, long. Great harmony. (JH)

Winemaker: Maria Larrea. Grape varieties: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. RS 0 g/l. This wine is produced from grapes harvested in vineyards over 20 years old in the area around Villalba and Haro in Rioja Alta, bush pruned, with low yields, and are picked by hand. Only the healthiest and ripest grapes are selected, and following destalking the grapes are cold macerated prior to a cool fermentation. Following a long maceration to achieve optimum colour and structure the wine undergoes a malolactic fermentation refining it, yet leaving it with the necessary acidity to complete its maturation in French and American oak as well as bottle ageing prior to release. Fined with Casein, Bentonite. Correct, tobacco, mature. Lively and very obviously rioja without excessive oak of either sort. Zesty. (JR)

(raised for 24 months in American oak casks): Bright ruby-red; doesn't look to be 11 years old. Powerful, oak-spiced aromas of candied cherry and raspberry, with suave vanilla, mocha and floral nuances and slow-building tobacco and leather elements. Pliant, palate-staining red fruit and floral pastille flavors show impressive depth and heft, with a good lashing of sweet vanillin oak. Sweet and expansive on the gently tannic finish, which shows excellent clarity and length. This wine seems poised for a very long, graceful evolution.