2005 Contino Reserva - Rioja

The 2005 Contino Reserva hails from Vinedos de Contino, a single estate Rioja from CVNE (Cune), that is located in Rioja Alavesa just northwest of Logrono.  92 points IWC, "Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of blackberry, cassis, minerals, black tea and smoke. Wonderfully ripe and dense but youthfully firm and dry; thick but energetic, with deep dark berry and bitter cherry flavors and fine-grained tannins. Extremely young Rioja with strong finishing grip and lingering notes of bitter cherry and candied blackcurrant. Put this one away for a long time."

Contino only makes Reserva and Gran Reserva wines.  Jesus Madrazo, whose great, great-grandfather founded CVNE in 1879 aims to make powerful, yet elegant wines that age as the wines of Rioja were known for doing in the 40's and 50's.