Contino Reserva 940
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed from 5 to 20 years from the vintage date, as its robust structure and balanced acidity allow it to age gracefully.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, grilled prime ribeye steak, or aged Manchego cheese.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Viñedos del Contino, established in 1973 by CVNE, revolutionized Rioja by introducing the single-estate 'château' concept to the region. Located in a sweeping bend of the Ebro River in Rioja Alavesa, the estate's history dates back to the 16th century, named after the 'contino'—the royal guards who protected the Spanish monarchs. The Contino Reserva is a masterful expression of this unique microclimate, where alluvial soils, limestone, and Atlantic influences shape the fruit. Typically composed of a classic blend dominated by Tempranillo, alongside Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha, the wine undergoes meticulous fermentation followed by aging in a combination of French and American oak barrels. This process yields a wine of immense depth, balancing dark fruit, refined spices, and a mineral-driven elegance that honors its historic terroir.
🍾 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.