Superb, 8-year-old, Single Vineyard Reserva from a top ranking family bodega. Mellow, long, complex Bodegas La Emperatriz first won prizes for its wines in 1878 when it belonged to Empress Eugnie of France. Today brothers Eduardo and Victor Herniz own the impressive estate, comprising 101 hectares of high-altitude vineyards in the Rioja Alta. Many of their wines 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. Rarely, however, do they make 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 rich flavour. Open early great with lamb.