Contino Rioja Gran Reserva 2019

C.V.N.E.

Contino Rioja Gran Reserva
2019

Country
Spain
Regulated designation
Denominación de origen calificada (DOCa)
Region
La Rioja
Subregion
Alavesa
Appellation
Rioja
Classification
Gran reserva
Varietal(s)
Tempranillo 85 %
Graciano 10 %
Mazuelo 5 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Sugar content
1,6 g/l
Producer's website

About this winery

Founded in 1879 by the brothers Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asua, the Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España is one of the oldest estates in La Rioja. C.V.N.E. is located in Haro, in the traditional wine trade district, next to the train station. In this period when transport was not very advanced, there was a definite advantage in locating your cellar very close to a train station! By 1900, this company had more than 80,000 bottles intended for prolonged aging, which was rare at that time...

See the C.V.N.E. detail page for more information on this brand

Press reviews

James Suckling

- 98 points -

James Suckling, August 2023 (Vintage 2018)

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. Drinkable now, but even better in two or three years and onwards.

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James Suckling

- 97 points -

James Suckling, February 2022 (Vintage 2015)

Plenty of sandalwood, cedar, black-fruit and walnut aromas. So perfumed. Just a hint of dried fruit to add complexity. Full-bodied and layered with firm tannins, yet the ripe fruit is layered in-between. Gorgeous, succulent finish. One for the cellar. Drink or hold.

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Wine Advocate

- 95 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, February 2024 (Vintage 2018)

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. 30,600 bottles and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in July 2021.

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Decanter

- 94 points -

Sarah Jane Evans, February 2023 (Vintage 2015)

Contino is famous for its wonderfully sited vineyard, and for being a very early adopter of Graciano as a single variety. Two years after this vintage (10% Graciano), there was a change of winemaker. Today there are clear movement towards greater freshness. Look out for forthcoming vintages; they should be very promising indeed. Dense and dark, aged three years in French and American oak, with a fine finish of supple tannin. Drink 2023-2040. Alc. 14%.

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Wine Advocate

- 94 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, July 2022 (Vintage 2017)

The Contino vineyards escaped the frost from 2017, and the 2017 Gran Reserva, from a warm and dry year, is a blend of 82% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano and 3% Garnacha, the selection of the best grapes from different plots in the estate. This is 100% from the new team and from a vintage they consider very good for their property, different than the majority of Rioja. The idea is to follow the long aging in oak to continue with the tradition and keeping the freshness and controlling the power from the place. This is hedonistic and flattering, spicy after maturing in French barrique for 24 months. They harvested earlier than ever, in early September, and the wine reached 13.52% and has very good freshness with a pH of 3.47. It's round and enjoyable, fresher than the last vintage I had tried. 29,483 bottles and 1,000 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2020.

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James Suckling

- 94 points -

James Suckling, September 2022 (Vintage 2017)

A fruity and juicy red with round tannins and savory fruit. Medium to full body and a creamy texture. Hints of caramel and meat to the dark fruit. 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano, 5% mazuelo and garnacha. Enjoyable now.

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