Viñedos del Contino, founded in 1973 by CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) together with the local Pérez-Villota family, holds a special place in Spanish wine history as Rioja's first true single-estate château, or pago. Located in Laserna near Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa, the estate sits within a protective loop of the Ebro River, where alluvial gravel and limestone soils provide excellent drainage. Contino's wines are known for combining traditional Rioja Alavesa freshness with the concentration of a single estate.

The 2019 Reserva is a blend led by Tempranillo, supported by Graciano, a specialty of the estate that lends color and bright acidity, along with Mazuelo and Garnacha. Aged for 24 months in French and American oak barrels, then rested further in bottle before release, the 2019 shows a harmonious balance of ripe black cherry, dark plum, dried fig, tobacco leaf, leather, vanilla bean, and dill spice, wrapped in polished, fine-grained tannins.

Why You'll Love It

• From Rioja's historic pioneer of the single-estate château concept in Rioja Alavesa.
• Sourced from the acclaimed 2019 vintage, delivering classic structure, depth, and balance.
• A high proportion of Graciano gives the wine vibrant natural acidity and dark berry focus.
• Seamless balance of sweet oak spice (vanilla, cedar, tobacco) with rich, savory earth.

How To Serve It

• Serve at cool room temperature, between 60°F and 64°F.
• Decant for 45 minutes to an hour to let the oak spice and mature fruit integrate.
• Pour into Bordeaux stems to frame its rich, structured bouquet.
• Pair with grilled lamb chops, roasted suckling pig, braised beef short ribs, or aged Manchego.