CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva 1970 is one of the great historic wines of Rioja DOCa and a benchmark of traditional Spanish winemaking. Produced by Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE)—founded in 1879 in Haro—Imperial represents the pinnacle of the estate’s production, reserved exclusively for exceptional vintages and the finest selections from each harvest. The 1970 vintage is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding of the 20th century in Rioja, celebrated for its balance, structure and extraordinary capacity for long aging. Imperial Gran Reserva 1970 was crafted primarily from Tempranillo, complemented by traditional proportions of Graciano and Mazuelo, varieties that contribute aromatic complexity, freshness and longevity. The wine underwent an extended maturation in American oak barrels, followed by long bottle aging in CVNE’s historic cellars, allowing it to evolve slowly and gracefully over decades. In the glass, the wine shows a refined brick-red color with mahogany and amber highlights, a hallmark of fully mature great Riojas. The nose is deeply complex and elegant, offering aromas of leather, tobacco, cedarwood, sweet spices, dried red fruits and subtle balsamic notes. On the palate, it is silky and harmonious, with fully resolved tannins, vibrant acidity that sustains freshness, and a long, persistent finish marked by finesse and balance rather than power. Highly esteemed by critics and collectors, CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva 1970 is considered a reference point for classic Rioja and a defining example of the Gran Reserva style. Today, it stands as a living testament to patience, tradition and craftsmanship—offering a rare opportunity to experience one of Spain’s most iconic wines at full maturity, with elegance, depth and profound emotional resonance.