Wine Review: The 2018 Coto De Imaz Gran Reserva—A Rioja That’s Ready to Impress

St. Nicholas left something special in my boots, 2018 Coto De Imaz Gran Reserva from Spain’s famous Rioja region.

If you’re into wines that feel smooth, sophisticated, and a little bit like a history lesson in a glass, keep reading.

Why All the Fuss? (The Layman’s Guide to “Gran Reserva”)

First, a quick translation for the non-experts: “Gran Reserva” is a big deal in Rioja. It means the winery has aged this bottle for a really long time—at least two years in an oak barrel and three years in the bottle before they even release it. The 2018 vintage has been tucked away, waiting to be perfect, and you can tell.

It also got a massive 94 points from Decanter in 2024, which is high praise from the big leagues. To me, that score just confirms what my taste buds were saying: this is a high-quality, age-worthy wine that you don’t need a fancy degree to appreciate.

The Uncorking Experience

• The Look: When I poured it, the color was a deep, brilliant ruby with a slight hint of brick-red on the rim. That brick color is a great sign in an aged Rioja—it shows it’s been maturing beautifully and developing complexity.
• The Smell (My Favorite Part): This is where it gets fun. You get a fantastic mix of two main things. First, the fruit: think dark berries like black cherry and plum, but they’re not overtly sweet—they’re mature and concentrated. Then comes the aged side (from all that time in American oak barrels). I smelled vanilla, coconut, and a touch of sweet spice, like cinnamon. It reminded me a little of a fancy cigar box or old leather. It’s elegant and keeps changing as you swirl it.
• The Taste: The Coto De Imaz is made mostly from the Tempranillo grape, which is the heart of Rioja. It felt silky and smooth on the tongue. It has a beautiful structure—not too heavy, but definitely not flimsy. The best part is the tannins (that dry, puckery feeling in your mouth): they’re well-integrated and round. Instead of a sharp edge, you get a velvety texture that leads to a long, clean finish.

Perfect Pairings 🍽️

This is a wine that begs for a hearty meal. It’s too complex to just sip on its own, but it truly shines with food:

• For Dinner: We had it with some slow-cooked lamb shanks, and the savory, rich meat was a perfect match for the wine’s structured tannins and dark fruit. It would also be amazing with a dry-aged steak or any kind of game.
• For the Lifestyle Blogger in You: Pair it with a gourmet charcuterie board featuring a salty Manchego cheese, cured Iberian ham (jamón ibérico), and some smoky almonds. That combination is a little taste of Spain right on your table!

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy It?

Absolutely. The 2018 Coto De Imaz Gran Reserva is a classic example of what makes Rioja so lovable. It offers the complexity and refined character of a high-end wine, but it’s still accessible and ready to drink now.

If you want a bottle that feels special and delivers on its promise of quality (backed by that Decanter score!), this is your ticket. Grab a bottle, light a candle, and let it transport you to the sun-drenched vineyards of Spain. 🍷

Price Points – In Spain this is a 14 Euro bottle of wine and very much worth it. On U.S. websites I saw it priced between $32 to $54 USD, probably an inflated priced because of tariffs. I couldn’t find it on any Romanian wine websites, but it’s probably at least 72 Lei. Cheers!