Alma de Contador 2021

Alma de Contador comes from Bodega Contador, the Rioja project of Benjamín Romeo in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, and is one of the wines that earned the estate a place on La Place de Bordeaux. It is built from old Tempranillo and Garnacha vines grown in Rioja's continental climate, where ripe, sun-driven fruit pushes the wine to a full 15 per cent while the cool nights hold its acidity. Low yields from old vines concentrate the fruit, and the wine spends 20 months in French oak barrels. That barrel time softens the abundant tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds spice and a fine vanilla frame around the ripe fruit. The colour is deep and dense. The nose is mature and spicy, with stewed plum and blackberry, clove, liquorice and a touch of leather over a vanilla note from the oak. The palate is full and powerful but balanced, with ripe tannins and a long, savoury finish. Decant and serve at 17 to 18 degrees with rich roast and braised meats.