Vinedos del Contino Rioja Gran Reserva 2018
(Rioja, Spain) - [JS 98] [VM 96] [WE 96] [WA 95] [JD 94]

About the Winery:
Vinedos del Contino is the first single-estate "château" concept winery in Rioja, founded in 1973 in Laserna (Laguardia) within the Rioja Alavesa region. It is a joint venture between the historic CVNE winery and the property's owning family, centered around a 62-hectare estate in a meander of the Ebro River.

The name originates from the 16th-century royal guard officer (el contino) who continuously watched over the Catholic Monarchs.

The Vineyard:
Grapes from the winery's own vineyards at Finca San Rafael. Selection of the best micro-plots of the estate. Plots with notable differences, not in terms of orientation, but in terms of soil characteristics. Always in search of the perfect combination of the vineyards, located in a privileged environment, Viñedos del Contino.

The Tempranillo grapes mainly come from stony soil located near the Ebro River, which allows for slower ripening phase due to its own humidity.

Winemaking:
Manual harvest in boxes of 15 kg. Double selection of grapes; in the vineyard as well as in the cellar at a selection table. After destemming, the grapes ferment in concrete vats at 26-28ºC, followed by maceration. The malolactic fermentation takes place in the same vats. The wine is then transferred to French oak barrels (mix of new and used) for the aging process for 24 months.

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - James Suckling:
"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." (Aug 2023)

96 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2018 Gran Reserva is a blend of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo and 3% Garnacha sourced from Laserna in the Laguardia area of Rioja. Aged for 24 months in oak barrels, it boasts a garnet color reminiscent of classic Rioja reds. However, Contino adds a modern twist to the traditional style. Reductive aromas give way to blood-like notes, complemented by blackberry and herbal nuances, including hints of rosemary and cedar. It offers an intense, dry and creamy palate. The fine-grained tannins and juicy mouthfeel contribute to an elegant, enduring finish. This complex and ethereal red from Rioja is sure to delight any palate. (Drink between 2024-2040)" - Joaquin Hidalgo (Apr 2024)

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"This dark garnet-colored wine has a bouquet of purple plum, mocha and violet. It is slightly spicy on entry, with opening notes of clove, mint leaf and dark chocolate that are accompanied by flavors of blackberry and black cherry swaddled in a layer of plush tannins that drift into a lasting finish." - Mike DeSimone (Oct 2024)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"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. Drink 2024-2032." - Luis Gutierrez (Feb 2024)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"With a blend similar to the Reserva, the 2018 Gran Reserva is mostly Tempranillo with Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha. It offers quite nice layers of baked plum and balsamic, with a bright lift of acidity on the medium-bodied midpalate. The tannins are supple and less concentrated than previous vintages, aiming for a more modern style that is ready to enjoy now and over the next 10-15 years. (Drink between 2025-2040)" - Virginia Boone (Jul 2025)