2010 Rioja Vina Del Olivo

Village: Laguardia. Vine age: 35 years old. Tempranillo, Graciano. Vineyard aspect: south east. Climate: Mediterranean with continental influences. Soil type: calcareous-clay. Vineyard size: 8 ha. Yield: 4,000 kg/ha. This wine is produced in only the favourable vintages, fermented in big Seguin Moreau vats of 8,000 litre and aged for 18 months in new oak (French, American, Hungarian and Russian). Jesus Madrazo, the technical director at Contino, says, ‘Although El Olivo is not the oldest vineyard from Contino it has always given great wines of mineral expression.’ It shows very ripe black fruits, good quality oak sensation, delicate sweet spices and touch of ash. It needs time in bottle to express its full potential. The palate is today more expressive than the nose, really well delineated and very juicy. It shows savoury black fruit, a touch of elegant leather in the mouth and great tannins, which are superbly polished. Great balance, very ripe, modern and velvety style. (FC)

Selection from a 6-ha plot. Tempranillo and Graciano. Real lift and suavity. Directed with sweet richness. Hint of cinnamon but no shortage of personality. (JR)

88% Tempranillo, 12% Graciano. Heady, sweet and complex. Herbal with rich undertones. Round and very well managed. Expensive but awfully good. Warm! (JR)