Contino Rioja Gran Reserva 2018

C.V.N.E.

Contino Rioja Gran Reserva
2018

$46.75

* Retail price including taxes and service fees if applicable
Service fees
$ 0.10
Product code
13217532
Format
12 x 750ml
Listing type
SAQ Specialty by lot
Status
Available
Type of product
Still wine
Licensee price
$40.64
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
Closure type
Cork
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

Product notes

The monarchs bestowed the title Contino on senior officers of the royal family's guard.

Production notes

24 months in French and American oak barrels and 36 months in bottle in underground cellars.

Tasting notes

Cherry color. Opulent, intense and very complex nose with aromas of black and red fruits well integrated with toasted notes. The palate is persistent and powerful, polished and well balanced with silky tannins. Pairings with red meats, lambs and spicy chickens.

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.

See detailed press review
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.

See detailed press review