Contador 2025

Contador is made by Benjamín Romeo at Bodega Contador in Rioja Alavesa, and is one of Spain's most sought-after reds. It is a blend of 94% Tempranillo with small parts of Graciano and Mazuelo, sourced from small estate plots scattered across villages in the Rioja Alavesa, including San Vicente de la Sonsierra. The vines grow on poor, well-drained calcareous clay soils at good altitude, where the wide gap between warm days and cold nights preserves acidity and aromatics as the fruit reaches full ripeness. The wine ages eighteen months in French oak, a long élevage in which slow oxygen exchange and fine lees build texture and resolve the firm tannins, while the wood contributes spice and a measured toast and malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity. The wine is deep, brilliant cherry red. The nose is concentrated black cherry and plum with cocoa, liquorice, vanilla, tobacco and a peppery edge. The palate is full bodied and structured, with dense ripe fruit, firm but polished tannin and a long, savoury finish carried by fresh acidity. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant well ahead. It is built for roast and grilled red meat.