Description Bodegas La Emperatriz first won prizes for its wines in 1878 when it belonged to Empress Eugénie of France. Today brothers Eduardo and Victor Hernáiz own the impressive estate, comprising 101 hectares lying at high altitudes in the Rioja Alta. They make superb wines – many have been awarded over 90 points by Wine Advocate. With extensive vineyards, they have the luxury of using only estate-grown grapes and make a range of top-ranking wines, but rarely a Gran Reserva purely from this single, north-facing vineyard lying at 630 metres. The result is very slow-ripening grapes and a wine with superb structure, depth and impressive complexity. Only now is it opening out, revealing all its layers of flavour. Silky red fruits, vanilla and oaky, coconut spice. Open early and enjoy with lamb.
