You simply can’t talk about great Rioja without including CVNE. Founded in Haro in 1879, this is one of the region’s foundational estates, and its Imperial wines have been part of Rioja’s story since the 1920s. What makes bottles like this so compelling is the patience built into the style: Rioja at its best isn't about power or immediate fruit, but about what happens after years—or decades—of quiet bottle aging.

The 1996 vintage has now entered that magical stage where youthful fruit gives way to the savory complexity serious Rioja collectors chase. Expect layers of dried cherry and red plum alongside leather, tobacco, cedar, dried flowers, spice, and a subtle earthy character. The fruit is still there, but time has transformed it, knitting everything together with the gentle tannins and freshness that make mature Rioja so compelling. This is a classic library bottle from one of Rioja's benchmark producers, offering a chance to experience the region exactly as generations of collectors have loved it.

Why You'll Love It

• A legendary Rioja house: CVNE has been making wine in Haro since 1879.
• Nearly three decades of bottle age: The 1996 vintage has developed the savory, tertiary character that only time can provide.
• Classic mature Rioja: Dried cherry, leather, tobacco, cedar, spice, and earthy complexity.
• Traditional elegance: Silky texture, refreshing acidity, and beautifully resolved tannins.
• A genuine library-wine experience: This is Rioja not simply as a young wine, but as a fully evolved piece of wine history.

How To Serve It

• Serve at 60–64°F to keep the mature aromatics fresh and lifted.
• Stand the bottle upright for 24 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle.
• Decant gently for 15–30 minutes, primarily to separate sediment rather than aggressively aerate.
• Use a Burgundy or large all-purpose stem to let the wine's tertiary aromatics unfold.
• Pair with roast lamb, braised beef, wild mushrooms, jamón Ibérico, or aged Manchego.
• Drink now for its mature character and complexity.

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