Contino Gran Riserva Rioja 2017

Contino is one of those benchmark brands in the wine world, one that other wineries taste when trying to mark the quality of their own wines. Sommeliers reference it when describing how another compares and contrasts. Collectors keep track of the other Riojas in their cellars relative to how their Contino is aging. At the stellar price of under $50, this iconic Gran Riserva is the winery’s very best wine, and an absolute must-have!

With the estate’s history extending back to cellar caves from the 16th century, Contino has long been a part of the illustrious traditions of great wines in the Rioja. Named for the guards that continuously watched over the Spanish Catholic Monarchy, Contino was the very first producer of a single-vineyard Rioja in 1973.

In 2017, while much of Rioja was devastated by spring frosts, their vineyards at Finca San Rafael escaped unharmed, going on to produce one of the winery’s best vintages in recent memory. With a composition of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, and 3% Garnacha grapes hand-picked on the estate, the fruit is then de-stemmed and cold-soaked for 48 hours before fermentation with native yeasts in concrete tanks. The wine continues with a post-fermentation maceration, continuously pumping over daily until racking into new and used French oak barrels to age for two years, prior to aging an additional three years minimum in bottle.

The wine is an elegantly pure and luscious Rioja with dark bramble berries, black cherry, and exotic spices like star anise and brown cardamom. Lingering elements of smoked beef, iron, black trumpet mushrooms, and caramel illuminate the complex backdrop of the wine that casually slides into a luxuriously smooth finish with fine and supple tannins. For the immense quality, balance, and elegance here, the value is remarkable. Under $50 for an age-worthy, harmonious wine with such history and careful production is a rarity indeed – and one you simply can’t miss!

PAIRING IDEAS: Sauteed buttery clams with chorizo, and a heaping hunk of crusty fresh bread on the side, is perfectly hearty and spiced – plus, simple yet fancy feeling – to live up to this rich Gran Riserva Rioja!