1986 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 91.5 points

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  3/21/2022 - pedemo wrote:

  Light in colour almost pale.
  At first whiff it was closed, so should have given it some time in decanter. There was some secondary aromas, but also a hint of nail polish. With some swirling and it open up quite quick and revealed lovely aromas. Vanilla, cardemom, forrest/dirt and liqorice.
  The taste was surprising. It was delicate but still very lively with a clear strike of acidity. It was the taste of oak that hit first with vanilla, leather but then a cherry appeared. Clear in flavor and bringing delicious acidity that lingered.

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  11/28/2018 - RyanJames Likes this wine: 92 Points

  This is a perfect example of why aged Rioja from top producers are (well now I guess were as of 5 years ago) is the best value wine in the world. Absolutely stunning and near-perfect bottle at 32 years old, and way better than the three 1973s I've consumed over the past two years. Reminded me of a top Graves producer from a solid vintage. Dark youthful color with only a hint of garnet, lots of fresh cigar tobacco, dark cherry, some oak present, and some secondary, leaf-like notes on the palate. Tannins mellowed, but entirely integrated. I wish I had a case, and am ashamed for scoffing at paying $70/bottle for this lot. Finish a little short and concentration a little light which dropped this a few points.

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  5/20/2016 - WST Likes this wine:

  This was fantastic. Dense dark fruit and cigar box, and a whiff of iron and anise. Still showing some fine tannins. Like the '83 La Louviére, this stayed fresh even after hours in the decanter. It can probably last another thirty years, although my one remaining bottle won't.

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  5/27/2012 - salil wrote: 91 Points

  Lovely, mature Rioja combining cedar wood, tobacco, fresh red fruits and higher toned spicy notes into a fragrant, medium weight package that's drinking beautifully now. The tannins are quite gentle and the fruit's still very fresh and lively, with good depth and a long, savoury finish. Delicious.

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  12/15/2011 - andtheodor wrote:

  Tobacco, old cherry, leather, funky wood. Very nice aromatically but unfocused and lacking the bright core of sweet fruit I love is old Rioja. Decent, better with food.

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