Contino 1980 Reserva

Wine: Contino 1980 Reserva
Winery: Viñedos del Contino (Laserna-Laguardia, Álava)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 4% Graciano, 1% Garnacha.
ABV: 13.4% vol.

Winemaking

Crafted exclusively from grapes grown on the estate’s 52-hectare vineyard (60% old vines, 40% younger vines). Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. The wine remained for 6 months in concrete tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and settle before racking. It matured for 24 months in second-year 225-liter oak barrels (50% French, 50% American). Bottled in 1983. Limited production of 79,697 bottles (75 cl). It underwent a minimum of 36 months of bottle aging prior to its commercial release in 1986. This was the first vintage presented in a Bordeaux-style bottle.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Light ruby color with medium depth; clear and remarkably clean. It displays reddish and orange reflections. The rim is wide and tawny/brick-colored.

 

Nose: Highly expressive and fully open. It presents aromas of great elegance and finesse. Intense and fragrant, it floods the senses with hints of wilted flowers, chocolate liqueur, toffee, and a strong smoky component from the oak and spices. Showy and "pyrotechnic," it becomes slightly liqueur-like as it gains black fruit notes and an increasing prominence of stable, animal, and wine-soaked stave descriptors.

 

Palate: Refined and immensely fresh on the palate; agile and very pure, featuring tannins so elegant and silky they are difficult to describe. Stylized yet faithful to the classic Rioja profile—as vanillic as it is creamy. Excellent acidity, high-quality bitter notes, toasted nuances, and cedar. An absolute delight.

 

Commentary

The 1980 Reserva is a gem from Contino’s early era. While often overshadowed by the legendary 1981 and 1982 vintages, it is far from a minor wine. It recalls the power of the 1978 vintage but with superior integration and purity. It captures the golden era of the estate, offering all the sophistication expected from this landmark Alavesa property. A bottle that vindicates the 1980 harvest as one of the most unfairly overlooked in Rioja.

 

Personal Score: 95
Tasting Group Average: 94