2014 Contino Reserva Rioja DOCa

Partly owned by CVNE, Viñedos del Contino is one of Spain’s most important wine estates. Established in 1973, it is a single vineyard estate, producing a small selection of wines including the prized Graciano and Viña del Olivo which is regarded as one of the best wines of modern Spain. Winemaker Jesús Madrazo, son of the founder, strives to be at the forefront of Riojan fine wine making while preserving established traditions. This is a highly sophisticated Reserva, plush and ripe from an excellent vintage; showing a beautiful balance between modern and classic, it offers bright red fruits and juicy acidity among darker fruit, tobacco, leather, and vanilla nuances.
WA92 The 2014 Reserva is usually a blend of 85% Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo and Garnacha that wants to express the character of the estate, its rocky limestone soils and ripe character. It fermented in stainless steel and aged in 50% French and 50% American oak barrels for two years. It’s subtly balsamic, with faint aromas of cigar ash, incense and also some dried flower petals, spices and a touch of ripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with moderate ripeness, quite contrasted with the sensation on the nose. 287,960 bottles and 1,500 magnums were produced. It was bottled in July 2017.