When CVNE founded Contino in 1973, they created Rioja’s very first single-estate "château" (pago). While most bodegas buy grapes from thousands of growers across the region, Contino does the exact opposite—bottling 100% estate fruit from a private 62-hectare, limestone-strewn meander along the Ebro River in Rioja Alavesa. Under the umbrella of Spain's most iconic wine family, this historic estate operates like a First Growth Bordeaux property: ancient soils, old vines, and total focus on single-site precision.

Don't let the "Reserva" label fool you—this 97-point stunner is engineered with pure Gran Reserva muscle. Sourced from 40- to 60-year-old vines and boosted by a hefty splash of Graciano for dark berry drive and electric acidity, Contino gave this wine five full years of patient cellar aging before release. Between two years in French and American oak and extended time in bottle, it legally meets Gran Reserva aging standards—giving you $150+ tertiary depth and velvety richness for a fraction of the price.

In the glass, it erupts with dark cherry, crushed cassis, dried fig, sweet tobacco, and cedar spice. On the palate, it hits with broad, seamless power, layering savory espresso and crushed gravel over fine-grained, polished tannins. Give it a 60-minute decant to watch it unfold alongside a rack of lamb, or hide cases in the cellar—it has the structural muscle to age effortlessly for 20+ years. This is why we love traditional Rioja!

Critical Acclaim:

97 Points, James Suckling:

“Violet, strawberry, raspberry and orange-peel aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, with minerality and brightness. Vivid. A wonderful change here. Energy. So much purity.”

93 Points, Wine Advocate: 

“The grapes for the 2019 Reserva were picked earlier than in 2018, and they achieved lower alcohol in a warmer vintage. The wine is 13.89% alcohol, but picking early and with a shorter cycle in a hurried ripeness also means less aroma and flavor development. The warmer year delivered a higher pH, and the wine comes through as a little softer and with riper flavors. There are 313,666 bottles and 3,500 magnums of this. It was bottled in March 2022, after 18 months in barrel.”

Why You'll Love It

• Gran Reserva Pedigree: Aged for a full five years before release—meeting the strict minimum aging requirement for Gran Reserva Rioja at a fraction of the standard price tag.

• Single-Estate Pioneer: Sourced entirely from Contino’s historic single-vineyard pago in Rioja Alavesa, combining 60-year-old vine depth with Atlantic-influenced limestone freshness.

• Masterful Varietal Blend: High proportion of Graciano (10%) and Mazuelo balanced with Tempranillo provides intense aromatic lift, electric natural acidity, and decades of cellaring runway.

How To Serve It

• Temperature: Serve at cool cellar temperature (60∘F–64∘F) to highlight its soaring florals and keep its 14.5% ABV perfectly balanced.

• Decanting: Decant for 60 minutes to allow the sweet oak spice, leather, and dark berry core to fully integrate.

• Food Pairings: Exceptional with wood-grilled lamb chops, braised beef short ribs, roasted suckling pig (cochinillo), or aged Manchego.