95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2005 Imperial Gran Reserva is firing on all cylinders. Smoked cured meats, balsamic notes of beeswax, antique shop and incense define the complex and elegant nose. The medium-bodied palate reveals an impressively powerful wine which manages to feel light on its feet. I needed to swallow a bit of wine to make sure; yes, it’s truly elegant and classic. This is a great wine, which transports you to the old Grand Reservas of yesteryear. It delivers great quality at a great price. (LG) (12/2013)

Imperial is Cune's most traditional, highly regarded and ageworthy line of wines.

Given the winery's #1 Wine Spectator wine of the year nod for their 2004 Imperial Gran Reserva, there is obviously some more attention being given to this traditional, old guard Rioja bodega. Produced from their best vineyard parcels in Rioja Alta, typically from a blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano, and then aged in a combination of French and American barrels, clarified with egg whites and aged for an additional time in bottle, this is a classic wine--all the more so in the cooler, more Atlantic 2007 vintage.