Contino Reserva 937
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 8 to 20 years from the vintage date, as its robust structure and vibrant acidity allow it to age gracefully.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, grilled prime ribeye steak, or aged sheep's milk cheeses like Manchego.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Established in 1973 in a historic bend of the River Ebro, Viñedos del Contino revolutionized Rioja by introducing the single-estate 'château' concept to the region. This historic estate, centered around an elegant 16th-century manor house in Laserna, Rioja Alavesa, benefits from a unique microclimate protected by the Cerro de la Mesa hill. The Contino Reserva is a masterful expression of this singular terroir, typically composed of a Tempranillo-dominant blend enriched with Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha. The inclusion of Graciano—for which the estate is highly renowned—imparts a signature freshness and longevity. Aged meticulously in a combination of French and American oak barrels followed by extensive bottle aging, this Reserva seamlessly marries the traditional complexity of Rioja with modern fruit purity, offering notes of dark berries, balsamic undertones, sweet spices, and a refined mineral finish.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers in the historic Barrio de la Estación of Haro, Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) is a cornerstone of Rioja winemaking. Still family-controlled today, the estate is celebrated for its harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and architectural innovation, featuring a legendary cellar designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel's studio. CVNE's philosophy centers on meticulous vineyard management across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, producing elegant, structurally complex wines aged in fine oak casks. The winery is globally renowned for its iconic labels, including the historic Imperial Gran Reserva, the fruit-forward Viña Real, and the single-estate expression Contino, which collectively define the pinnacle of classic Spanish Tempranillo.