The 2015 Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva is a distinguished Tempranillo from the renowned Rioja region of Spain. This red wine, produced by Cune, boasts an alcohol content of 14.0% and is sealed with a traditional cork closure. The wine has garnered significant attention from wine critics, earning high praise and impressive scores.
James Suckling awarded this wine a stellar 97 points, highlighting its ripe blackberries, dried fruit, toasted oak, and black licorice aromas. He describes it as "full-bodied with ultra-fine, linear tannins and a racy, refined finish," noting its fantastic structure and length that "goes on for minutes." Suckling suggests that it will further refine with age and recommends drinking it after 2023.
Vinous reviewer Josh Raynolds gave the wine 95 points, noting its deep, brilliant ruby color and sharply defined, mineral-inflected aromas of red and dark berries, cherry liqueur, pipe tobacco, vanilla, and exotic spices. Raynolds describes the palate as "chewy and penetrating," with concentrated flavors of black raspberry, bitter cherry, boysenberry, and spicecake. He praises its polished tannins and strikingly persistent finish.
Wine Spectator's review by GS also scored the wine 94 points, emphasizing its vivid red color and good momentum. GS notes the solid tannins encasing flavors of cherry, cola, clove, and balsamic, marked with cedar, anise, and spice elements. The review highlights the wine's well-integrated flavors and long potential lifespan, recommending consumption from now through 2038.
John Gilman of View From The Cellar provided another 95-point review, detailing the blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo. He describes the nose as "pure, nascently complex and sappy," with notes of black raspberries, black cherries, Cuban cigar wrapper, and fresh nutmeg. Gilman praises the wine's impeccable focus, balance, ripe tannins, and long, tangy finish, predicting it will become stunning with further cellaring.
Finally, Wine Enthusiast's Mike Desimone scored the wine 94 points, noting its deep violet color and aromas of cassis, strawberry, and black tea. Desimone describes the wine as juicier than expected, with flavors of cranberry, raspberry, dark chocolate, and toasted almond. He mentions the grippy tannins that recede into a bright orange zest finish.
In summary, the 2015 Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva is a highly acclaimed wine with complex aromas, deep flavors, and excellent aging potential, making it a noteworthy choice for any wine enthusiast.