Contino Viña del Olivo 2021
71.70₣ (Inc. VAT bot. 75 cl.) / Spain
5 for immediate shipment. More, available on 06/05/2025
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Viña del Olivo comes from one of the few non-alluvial plots on the property, as it has clay and limestone soils, a pure south exposure with vines planted in 1980 that produce deep wines with very good aging potential. It fermented in oak vats and matured in oak barrels for 14 months followed by another two months in oak vats. It's 80% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo with 13.85% alcohol, a pH of 3.57 and 5.3 grams of acidity. It surprised me with its finesse and elegance, a big change. There's no sensation of oak, and it's fresh, profound and floral, with concentrated back berry fruit, a touch of bacon (but all very subtle), a vibrant palate (the Graciano and the year?) and very fine tannins. It's still a baby but has gobsmacking balance and very fine tannins. I already liked the 2020, but this is one step above. Possibly the finest Olivo to date... 15,333 bottles and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in July 2023.
Features
Type of wine
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
14.0%
Grapes
Serving
Between 14ºC and 16ºC
Winemaking
Malolactic fermentation and ageing for 16 months in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels.
Description
In the heart of Rioja Alavesa, the Contino winery, part of the prestigious CVNE group, has been making wines that capture the essence of their terroir for decades. Founded in 1973, Contino is renowned for being the first château in the region, uniting tradition and modernity in each vintage. One of its iconic wines is Viña del Olivo, a red that represents the pinnacle of its winemaking craftsmanship.
Viña del Olivo is composed of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, a blend that provides structure, freshness and longevity. The vineyards, planted in 1980, are located on a chalky clay plot, one of the few non-alluvial plots on the estate, with a slope of 5-7% and facing south. This terroir and the organic fertilisation, together with the absence of herbicides, provide a wine with a mineral character and great cellaring potential.
Winemaking
The winemaking process of Viña del Olivo begins with the manual selection of the best bunches, fermented in French oak vats at 28-30 °C for 10 days, followed by a further 10 days of maceration. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels, and ageing lasts 14 months in French (80%) and American (20%) oak, followed by 2 months in wooden vats before bottling.
Taste
Viña del Olivo surprises with a fresh and deep character, outstanding for its fine elegance and balance. On the nose, it reveals a complexity of aromas where notes of ripe red fruit, spices and a subtle touch of minerals intertwine. On the palate, it is an enveloping wine with round, silky tannins and a long, lingering finish.
Shipping to Peninsular Spain
FREE shipping on orders over 189.05₣ or for 18 bottles or more in 6-bottle multiples (24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54 and 60 bottles)Estimated transit time: 2-3 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Over 189.05₣ |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | 6.52₣ | 0.00₣ (-6.52₣) |
| 7-12 | 6.52₣ | 0.00₣ (-6.52₣) |
| 13-17 | 12.19₣ | 0.00₣ (-12.19₣) |
| 18 | Free | 0.00₣ (Free) |
| 19-23 | 15.03₣ | 0.00₣ (-15.03₣) |
| 24 | Free | 0.00₣ (Free) |
| 25-29 | 18.72₣ | 0.00₣ (-18.72₣) |
| 30 | Free | 0.00₣ (Free) |
| 31-35 | 21.65₣ | 0.00₣ (-21.65₣) |
| 36 | Free | 0.00₣ (Free) |
| 37-41 | 25.43₣ | 0.00₣ (-25.43₣) |
| 42 | Free | 0.00₣ (Free) |
| 43-47 | 27.32₣ | 0.00₣ (-27.32₣) |
| 48 | Free | 0.00₣ (Free) |
| 49-53 | 32.04₣ | 0.00₣ (-32.04₣) |
| 54 | Free | 0.00₣ (Free) |
| 55-59 | 33.93₣ | 0.00₣ (-33.93₣) |
| 60 | Free | 0.00₣ (Free) |
| VAT included | ||
