2005 Rioja Reserva

85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 2.5% Mazuelo and 2.5% Garnacha. The vines here are planted on soils with a high limestone content substrata and clay and sand dominated topsoil. Some are over 60 years old. Following harvest the grapes were destemmed, and fermentation then took place in stainless steel tanks at 28-30°C with a maceration period of 10 to 15 days. The wine was aged for two years in French and American oak barrels, and spent a further year in bottle prior to release. Mid crimson. Absolutely true rioja fruit and oak on the nose. Still pretty youthful with the oak still prominent but the fruit is just as it should be. Needs time but very promising. (JR)

The 2005 Contino Reserva is made up of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo and Garnacha aged for 2 years in a mix of new and seasoned French and American oak. Crimson-colored, it presents aromas of smoke, spice box, roses, leather, black cherry, and blackberry. Elegant on the palate in a slightly racy style, the fruit is balanced by lively acidity and the flavors are ripe and savory. This lengthy offering will continue to unwind for another 4-6 years and will deliver optimal drinking from 2015 to 2025. Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana (C.V.N.E.) is known colloquially to most Spanish wine drinkers as Cune. The company was founded in 1879 by the Real de Asua brothers and still remains in control of their direct descendants. In the 1920s ownership started Vina Real and in 2004 a new winery was built in Laguardia. In 1973 Contino was created to further the concept of the single estate winery and has since been one of the principal leaders in the resurrection of the nearly extinct Graciano grape. The Contino wines are made exclusively from the estate’s 253 acres located in Laserna near the town of Laguardia. The Reserva bottling is the mainstay of the Contino lineup produced from vines ranging in age from 25 to 60 years. The Contino Vina Del Olivo is the product of a dry farmed single vineyard of the same name planted in 1980. The blend is 90% Tempranillo with the balance Graciano and Carinena aged in new oak for 18 months. The Imperial label is affixed at C.V.N.E. only in the top vintages. Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin, www.europvin.com

85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 3% Mazuelo, 2% Garnacha Tinta . Pretty closed on the nose, as you might expect. More cassis than red fruit. Sweet and dark. Firm and still a marked grip though the tannins are fine and resolving. More savoury than the CVNE and a fresh bite on the finish. I'd wait a little. (JH)