2011 Contino, Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain

3,261 magnums and some larger formats and normal bottles were filled in April 2014.

The 2011 Gran Reserva is bottled in magnum, blended from 70% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 12% Garnacha and 3% Viura. The élevage was extended to three years in used oak barrels followed by a further three years in bottle. It feels quite ripe and a little heady, generously oaked. It's a very dry year, and the wine doesn't have the freshness of the 2010. It seems like the nature of the vintage and the warmish location have resulted in a very ripe year. There is more freshness on the palate, where there are tannins that might need more time in bottle and even some edgy acidity.

Drink 2019 - 2026

Vivid ruby-red. Displays expansive, smoke-tinged red fruit preserve and cherry-vanilla scents, along with vanilla, tobacco and allspice flourishes. Seamless and appealingly sweet, offering concentrated cherry, blackcurrant and spicecake flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. The smoky note repeats on the sweet, seamless and impressively long finish, which features rounded tannins and lingering vanilla and mocha qualities.

Drink 2019 - 2026

Lots of ripeness and richness, but there’s a floral and citrus undertone to the blueberries. Full-bodied and layered with beautiful, ripe tannins and opulent, light earthy character. Smoked meat and ripe berries at the finish. Chocolate, too. It’s soft and flavorful at the end.

Drink or hold