Contino Gran Reserva 2018

Contino Gran Reserva comes from Viñedos del Contino, the single estate that Cvne and its founding family established in 1973 as Rioja's first chateau, set on 62 hectares in a bend of the river Ebro at Laserna, near Laguardia in the Rioja Alavesa. The wine is built on Tempranillo over 60 years old, with Graciano and other local varieties, all drawn from the vineyards that surround the old house. The proximity to the Ebro moderates the continental climate, while the poor calcareous clay soils and the age of the vines keep yields low and concentration high. After destemming the grapes ferment in concrete vats with an extended maceration to draw colour and structure from the skins, then the wine ages for 24 months in French and American oak. That long élevage allows steady oxygen exchange through the staves, softening the tannins and developing the tertiary leather, tobacco and dried fruit character of a classic Gran Reserva. Expect a garnet rimmed red, a nose of plum, prune, leather and sweet spice, and a fine, savoury palate with resolved tannins and a long finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted, with roast lamb.