Contino Reserva Tinto
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically peaks between 8 to 20 years from the vintage date, showing excellent aging potential due to its vibrant acidity and structured tannins.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted lamb chops with rosemary, slow-cooked beef stews, and aged Spanish cheeses like Manchego.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Established in 1973 by CVNE, Viñedos del Contino is celebrated as Rioja's first true single-estate winery, modeled after the classic Bordeaux château concept. Situated in a sweeping bend of the Ebro River in Rioja Alavesa, the estate surrounds an ancient 16th-century manor house. The name 'Contino' pays homage to the royal guards ('continamente') who protected the Spanish monarchs. The Reserva Tinto is a masterful expression of this unique microclimate, where alluvial, limestone-rich soils are protected by the Sierra de Cantabria. The blend is traditionally dominated by Tempranillo, supported by Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha. Aged carefully in a combination of French and American oak barrels followed by extensive bottle aging, this wine seamlessly bridges Rioja's rich historical traditions with modern elegance, offering deep dark fruit, mineral complexity, and refined, silky tannins.
🍾 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.