Contino - Rioja Gran Reserva 2018

A pioneer of the single vineyard wine concept in Rioja, Viñedos del Contino was born in 1973 as a partnership between the Pérez Villota family, owners of Finca San Rafael (Rioja Alavesa) and a group of Cvne directors. The idea of making wine from a single terroir was unheard of in Rioja, where mixing grapes from different areas in the region was the norm. With this attitude in mind (and taking into account the quality of its wines since its early days) Contino must be seen as one of the instigators of the Rioja wine revolution and, together with Remelluri, as the leading advocate of the château concept in the appellation.

The grapes were harvested manually and with a high level of selection in the vineyard from our estate parcels Las Anchas, Central and Lentisco, which are more than 60 years old and lie around Finca San Rafael.

“A juicy and delicious red Contino with harmony and balance showing cherry, chocolate and sandalwood aromas and flavors. Extremely perfumed. Incense. Mushroom. Medium body, with firm, muscular and fine tannins that have excellent length and raciness and open nicely in the glass. 25% new French oak for 24 months. Beautiful now and will age wonderfully.” - 98 Points, James Suckling

“This dark garnet-colored wine has a bouquet of purple plum, mocha and violet. It is slightly spicy on entry, with opening notes of clove, mint leaf and dark chocolate that are accompanied by flavors of blackberry and black cherry swaddled in a layer of plush tannins that drift into a lasting finish.” - 96 Points, Wine Enthusiast

“The 2018 Gran Reserva comes from a rainier year at Contino, a challenging vintage that gave them a lot of work but with good results and healthy grapes. This was produced with a blend of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo and 3% Garnacha selected by their ripeness, acidity and concentration. It fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts and matured in 225-liter French oak barrels for two years. They aim for a renewed classical style. The parameters are 13.94% alcohol, a pH of 3.38 and 5.7 grams of acidity, a fresher wine reflecting a cooler year. There is more depth of fruit, more acidity and more complexity, while keeping the classical profile and with effect of the long élevage; it is spicy and developed, with a polished palate and a dry, chalky finish.” - 95 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Producer: Contino

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Varietal: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, Garnacha

Appellation: Rioja

Vintage: 2018

Size: 750ml