You simply can’t talk about great Rioja without including CVNE. Founded in Haro in 1879, this historic estate is one of Rioja’s foundational producers, and its Imperial bottling has been part of the region’s story for generations. Produced only in exceptional vintages, Imperial has become one of the benchmark wines of traditional Rioja—a wine defined not by immediate power or flashy fruit, but by patience, precision, and the extraordinary transformation that takes place with time.

The 1986 vintage now sits at nearly four decades of age, entering precisely the stage that makes old Imperial so compelling. The youthful fruit has evolved into layers of blackberry, blackcurrant, dried cherry, licorice, cedar, leather, tobacco, forest floor, spice, and subtle balsamic notes. With air, more nuanced aromas of vanilla, dried herbs, and earth begin to emerge.

On the palate, the wine retains the structure and authority that define Imperial, but decades of bottle age have softened its tannins and beautifully integrated the oak. Dark fruit and licorice provide depth, while lively acidity keeps the wine fresh and focused. The finish is long, savory, and remarkably persistent.

What makes the 1986 Imperial particularly exciting is its balance of power and maturity. This isn't simply an old Rioja that has faded into delicate tertiary notes. There is still substance and energy beneath the leather, cedar, earth, and spice—a reminder of the structured wine that went into the bottle nearly forty years ago.

This is classic library Rioja from one of Spain’s benchmark producers, offering collectors the chance to experience Imperial as it was intended: slowly evolved, beautifully integrated, and deeply expressive of its place and tradition.

Why You’ll Love It

• An iconic Rioja house: CVNE has been making wine in Haro since 1879, and Imperial is one of its defining wines.
• Exceptional 1986 vintage: A nearly four-decade-old Gran Reserva with remarkable depth and maturity.
• Classic Imperial character: Blackberry, blackcurrant, licorice, cedar, leather, tobacco, forest floor, and spice.
• Power meets elegance: Mature tannins and vibrant acidity keep this aged Rioja energetic and focused.
• Decades of bottle evolution: Oak, fruit, and tertiary character have come together into a seamless, complex whole.
• Historic library wine: A genuine piece of Rioja history for collectors of traditionally made Spanish wine.
• A benchmark Gran Reserva: One of the classic bottles to seek out when exploring serious, age-worthy Rioja.

How To Serve It

• Stand upright: Keep the bottle upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle.
• Open carefully: We highly recommend an Ah-So two-prong opener or Durand for the mature cork.
• Decant gently: Decant for approximately 15–30 minutes, primarily to separate sediment rather than aggressively aerate the wine.
• Serve cool: Serve at approximately 60–64°F in a large Burgundy or all-purpose wine glass.
• Let it evolve: Give the wine time in the glass to reveal its layers of fruit, leather, cedar, earth, and spice.
• Pair with: Roast lamb, braised beef, wild mushrooms, Jamón Ibérico, aged Manchego, or other richly savory Spanish dishes.
• Drink now: The wine is beautifully mature and ready to enjoy, with its tertiary complexity fully on display.

We highly recommend opening these aged rarities with an Ah-So (two-prong opener) or Durand corkscrew.