CONTINO Rioja Blanco 2021/22 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Contino Blanco is a beautifully crafted white wine from the prestigious Contino estate in Rioja Alavesa, primarily comprising 80% Viura and 20% Garnacha Blanca. Sourced from unique vineyard plots, including the San Gregorio Encina, this wine reflects the region’s terroir. It offers enticing aromas of floral notes, vibrant citrus, and subtle toasted nuts. The palate boasts good acidity, a delicate mouthfeel, and a refreshing fruity finish. Rated 95 points by James Suckling for its mineral freshness and balance, along with 93+ points from The Wine Advocate for its floral and fruit-driven character, Contino Blanco pairs beautifully with grilled fish, salads, and various dishes, making it an ideal choice for any occasion.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Contino Blanco is a supremely elegant and complex white wine from the prestigious Contino estate in the Rioja Alavesa region. This vintage is crafted from a blend of 80% Viura and 20% Garnacha Blanca, showcasing the unique terroir and winemaking expertise of the estate.

The Garnacha Blanca grapes are sourced from the calcareous clay soils of the San Gregorio Encina plot, which was planted in 1980, while the Viura grapes come from various parts of the estate, including the alluvial, old pago of Lentisco, the stony San Gregorio La Tabla, and La Finca de Santa María. These vines, aged between 35 and 40 years, contribute to the wine’s depth and character.

Contino Blanco is noted for its enticing aromas, which include floral notes, vibrant citrus, and subtle toasted nut nuances. The wine's bouquet is inviting and complex, capturing the essence of its diverse vineyard sources. On the palate, it displays very good acidity coupled with a delicate mouthfeel, creating a beautifully balanced wine. The finish is fruity and refreshing, leaving a persistent sense of brightness.

In terms of vinification, 54% of this wine is aged in used French barrels (500, 400, and 300 litres), while the remaining 46% undergoes aging in concrete vessels. After nine months, the components are unified and aged in stainless steel tanks until bottling, preserving the wine's freshness and purity.

Contino Blanco is versatile when it comes to food pairing. It is delightful with grilled sea bass or sardines and also complements a variety of dishes, including pizza, pasta, salads, and picnic fare. Its refreshing profile and elegant complexity make it an excellent choice for various occasions, whether casual gatherings or more refined settings. This wine represents the artistry and tradition of white wine production in the Rioja region, making it a must-try for any wine enthusiast.

JAMES SUCKLING 95 points
A really fresh and serious nose here with mineral, subtle cream and freshly squeezed lemon zest. Lime and a hint of meringue, too. This is really zingy, chalky, fresh and packed with a very taut mid-palate and a long, mouthwatering finish. Effortless drinkability and you barely feel any alcohol here. A hint of white almond at the end. 80% viura and 20% garnacha blanca. Exciting! Drink or hold.
Zekun Shuai

THE WINE ADVOCATE 93+ points
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
Drink Date: 2024 - 2030
The white 2021 Blanco wants to go back to the traditional whites from Rioja with aging potential but keeping the floral and fruit-driven character using 500-liter barrels. It's mostly Viura, with 20% Garnacha Blanca, and it has a moderate 12.44% alcohol and amazing freshness and acidity parameters (pH 3.07 and 7.01 grams of acidity). This feels like a light vintage, and it's more herbal (fennel emerges with time...), balsamic and with a smoky touch. It has lower alcohol and, therefore, more noticeable acidity and ends with a dry, chalky finish. The oak is nicely integrated (they stopped using 225-liter barrels for this wine), and the palate is fine-boned, lively and lighter than in the initial vintages. 15,579 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2023 after 12 months in 500-liter barrels and concrete vats.

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ABOUT CONTINO
Contino is a prestigious winery situated in the Rioja region of Spain, renowned for its high-quality wines that encapsulate the essence of this iconic wine-producing area. Established in 1973, Contino lies in the heart of Rioja Alta, along the banks of the Ebro River. The winery is notable for its unique philosophy of marrying traditional winemaking techniques with modern practices, allowing the terroir to shine through in each bottle.

Founded by the esteemed Hnos. de la Maza family, the name "Contino" translates to "continuous," symbolising the winery's commitment to quality and excellence. Contino places a strong emphasis on producing single varietal wines, particularly its exceptional Tempranillo, which thrives in the region's clay and limestone soils. The vineyard's unique microclimate, characterised by warm days and cool nights, aids in developing grapes with optimal ripeness and balance.

Contino’s flagship wine is its Gran Reserva, a blend of Tempranillo with small amounts of Graciano and Mazuelo. This wine is aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels, followed by an additional three years in the bottle, resulting in a complex, layered profile with rich fruit, spice, and earthy notes that exemplify the characteristics of Rioja.

In addition to its renowned red wines, Contino also produces a white wine made from Viura, showcasing the region's versatility. This white is celebrated for its freshness, floral aromas, and vibrant acidity, making it a delightful complement to the reds.

Overall, Contino stands out as a beacon of quality in the Rioja region, with a steadfast commitment to preserving tradition while embracing modern techniques. The wines of Contino offer an authentic reflection of the heritage and culture of Spanish winemaking, making them a favourite among wine enthusiasts worldwide.