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Contino Gran Riserva Rioja 2017
Contino Gran Riserva Rioja 2017

Reviews

94 - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -

94 - James Suckling -

91 - Wine Spectator -

Technical Details

  • Blend 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, and 3% Grenache
  • Winemaker Jorge Navascués
  • Country Spain
  • Region La Rioja
  • Appellation Rioja
  • Vineyard Grapes from their own vineyards at Finca San Rafael
  • Oak French oak barrels (new and used oak)
  • Aging / Cooperage 24 Months
  • Alcohol 14%

Contino Gran Riserva Rioja 2017

Red Blends | La Rioja

WA94, DC94, JS94, TA93, WS90, JR17.5/20

$79.00

$49.95

750ML

36% OFF RETAIL!

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!

About The Producer

Contino, the first Rioja chateau 1973, impelled by CVNE and the owners of the 62-hectare property located in the Rioja Alavesa. The history of the property dates from the 16th century and is reflected in its name. The 'contino' was the officer in charge of a guard corps of a hundred soldiers who protected the royal family 'de contino' (continuously) from the times of the Catholic Monarchs onwards. According to the tradition, Saint Gregory, the patron saint of vineyards, passed through the lands of this same Rioja property, giving rise to the use of his figure in the logo of this winery, and to the use of his name for some of the plots now planted with vines. The wine produced on this property, fruity and elegant, is heir to the best Rioja tradition. It is made with an individualized grape harvesting system in which only grapes from the same vineyards that surround the old manor house are used. Their origin in the various plots is noted. The perfect combination of soils, Atlantic-Mediterranean climate and refined technique have made Contino, more than 30 years after the first vintage, a reference product both in and outside Spain. The 62 hectares of Laserna vineyards in Laguardia are protected by the hill called the Cerro de la Mesa, which gives this land a characteristic orientation and mesoclimate. The hand-cut grapes are transported along a short road to the outbuildings so as to avoid damaging their qualities.