Contino Gran Riserva Rioja 2017

Contino Gran Riserva Rioja 2017Contino is one of those benchmark brands in the wine world, one that other wineries taste when trying to mark the quality of their own wines. Sommeliers reference it when describing how another compares and contrasts. Collectors keep track of the other Riojas in their cellars relative to how their Contino is aging. At the stellar price of under $50, this iconic Gran Riserva is the winerys very best wine, and an absolute must have! With the estates

Matt Hardin runs his own vineyard management empire

this wine being just one of many

PAIRING IDEAS: Over lunch and a tour of his hunting trophies (a couple of massive stuffed boars)

back in 1982

Egly-Ouriet makes their non-vintage cuvee from an adjacent plot that goes for $260+ per bottle

over-40-year-old vines in San Vicente

The 2021 Founding Brothers red – of which we regrettably only have a handful of bottles – is crafted of 59% cabernet sauvignon

The wine continues with a post-fermentation maceration

Rich and fruity

including an uncle who was knighted for his work on the London Bridge

freshly ground espresso

and 3% viognier for a juicy berry explosion followed by spicy peppercorn