Contino Rioja Graciano 2018

C.V.N.E.

Contino Rioja Graciano
2018

Country
Spain
Regulated designation
Denominación de origen calificada (DOCa)
Region
La Rioja
Varietal(s)
Graciano 100 %
Alcohol percentage
13.5%
Colour
Red
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

Production notes

Contino Graciano is made from hand-picked grapes. Alcoholic fermentation in French oak vats at moderate temperature for 24 months. Aged for 1 month in pure concrete vats. Clay-limestone soil.

Tasting notes

Complex nose with violet hints, floral aromas combined with wild blackberries and an elegant mineral finish. Long and fleshy wine in mouth. Which stands out for silkiness of its tannins. Contino Graciano is an elegant and balance wine, the result of a magnificent maturation of the variety in our vineyards San Rafael and an excellent aging work.

Press reviews

James Suckling

- 96 points -

James Suckling, August 2024 (Vintage 2021)

A striking graciano that shows fresh blackberries, minerals, menthol, eucalyptus, cured meat, iron, basil, graphite and, most importantly, black peppercorns that grow on the nose. Full-bodied and intense but still fluid, with brightness and the structure of graciano, but there is nothing heavy. Refined, long and lively. Very delicate rendition, thanks to its light, careful extraction. This is a benchmark reference. Drink now or hold.

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Wine Advocate

- 95 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, February 2024 (Vintage 2021)

I loved the aromas of the varietal 2021 Graciano from the first time I put my nose in the glass. It was produced with grapes from their best plot—San Gregorio, planted in 1979—which delivered a wine with full ripeness (13.99% alcohol) but with extremely high acidity (8.3 grams!). It fermented in an oak vat, followed by malolactic in concrete where the wine rested for one month before being racked to foudres and barrels of different sizes where it completed two years before it was bottled. This is floral, aromatic, elegant, clean and complex, exuberant and powerful. But then it's only medium-bodied, with herbal freshness, abundant, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. It's austere and maybe a little harsh, but I love it! It should age nicely in bottle and stand up to all kinds of food. One of the finest years for Graciano as far as I can remember. 5,326 bottles were filled in December 2023.

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Guia Penin

- 95 points -

July 2021 (Vintage 2018)

Colour: very deep cherry;Aroma: complex, expressive, spicy, mineral, powerful;Flavour: full-bodied, long, great length;

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 94 points -

October 2024 (Vintage 2021)

Made with a variety that is usually relegated to a small portion of Tempranillo-based blends, this wine has aromas of brambly fruits of the wood, fennel pollen and butterscotch. It is smooth in the mouth, with feathery tannins and raspberry, pomegranate, eucalyptus, clove and dried thyme flavors. The satisfying finish offers a soft hint of saddle leather.

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Wine Advocate

- 94 points -

Luis Gutiérrez, July 2022 (Vintage 2018)

There is contained power in the 2018 Graciano, which reveals a restrained 13.47% alcohol with very high acidity, close to seven grams, and a very low pH (3.22), which means lots of freshness and citrus acidity in the wine. It has a lactic touch on the nose that talks about its youth and the need for some more time in bottle. There is a touch of austerity on the palate, combining the abundant tannins and the high acidity that make it a bit harsh. There is a touch of iron and blood, and it's varietal and long. The wine is very powerful anyway and is going to welcome some time in bottle. Nobody said Graciano was easy... 3,300 bottles were filled in June 2021.

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