CVNE : Contino Reserva 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Contino Reserva 2020 from CVNE

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a bright garnet-red hue, with lovely intensity and remarkable clarity.

Nose

The nose displays a captivating aromatic complexity, with notes of black and red fruit (blackberry, blueberry, black cherry), complemented by delicate floral touches reminiscent of lavender and violet. Hints of wild herbs, toasted pepper, and sweet spices mingle with subtle mineral nuances. Barrel aging brings aromas of vanilla and toasted wood, perfectly integrated into the whole.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its smooth, silky texture. The palate reveals concentrated flavors of black cherry and blackberry, enhanced by notes of caramel, butterscotch, and a subtle minerality. Fine, well-integrated tannins provide structure and elegance without excessive astringency. Remarkable freshness and harmonious balance lead to a long, persistent finish, where dark fruit and herbaceous notes linger with refinement.

Food and wine pairings

The Contino Reserva 2020 is an ideal match for grilled meats such as lamb or roast suckling pig. It also pairs beautifully with refined meat stews, braised dishes, and aged cheeses. This wine also complements sophisticated vegetarian dishes featuring mushrooms, eggplant, or peppers.

Serving and cellaring

The Contino Reserva 2020 can be enjoyed now and through around 2034, according to critics. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C.

An elegant and refined Rioja Alavesa

The estate

Founded in 1973, Viñedos del Contino is the first “château”-style estate in La Rioja, introducing the groundbreaking concept of wine from a single estate. Owned by the Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE), founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers, the estate covers 62 hectares in a meander of the Ebro, in Rioja Alavesa. Now led by Víctor Urrutia Vallejo, fifth generation of the founding family, CVNE remains an independent family-owned company. Contino stands out for its pioneering approach to sustainability, being the first Spanish estate certified ZERYA for its pesticide-residue-free grapes.

The vineyard

Contino’s vineyard is located in Laserna, near Laguardia, in Rioja Alavesa. The plots lie between 400 and 420 meters in altitude, sheltered by Cerro de la Mesa and benefiting from the microclimate created by the Ebro’s meander. The estate is characterized by an extraordinary diversity of soils: alluvial, clay-limestone, saline, and sandy, with deep layers of calcareous sand and upper strata of limestone-rich clay with abundant pebbles. This mosaic of terroirs allows for micro-plot viticulture, each parcel expressing distinct characteristics. The climate benefits from Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, with average temperatures of 12 to 14°C and around 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Rioja was marked by early harvesting, a consequence of climatic shifts. Despite high yields due to significant rainfall before and during harvest, the vintage benefited from moderate temperatures throughout the growing season. These conditions enabled balanced phenolic development and the preservation of sufficient acidity, resulting in grapes of exceptional quality despite the climatic challenges.

Vinification and aging

After rigorous manual sorting, the grapes for Contino Reserva 2020 undergo a cold pre-fermentation maceration for 24 to 48 hours. Alcoholic fermentation takes place spontaneously in stainless-steel tanks, at a controlled temperature between 26 and 28°C. An extended post-fermentation maceration with pump-overs precedes spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged for 18 months in barrels, 80% French oak and 20% American oak. Additional bottle aging in the estate’s underground cellars further refines the wine before release.

Grape varieties

Tempranillo (86%), mazuelo (6%), graciano (6%), garnacha (2%)