Wine: Viña del Olivo 1995
Winery: Viñedos del Contino (Laserna-Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 95% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano, 1% Mazuelo
ABV: 13.5%
Winery: Viñedos del Contino (Laserna-Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 95% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano, 1% Mazuelo
ABV: 13.5%
Winemaking:
Crafted exclusively from estate-grown grapes. A manual selection of the finest Tempranillo clusters from the "Olivo" plot and Graciano vines from "Pago de San Gregorio Grande." Alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before being racked into new French oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged for 24 months in new 225-liter French and American oak barrels. Limited production of 21,414 bottles. It underwent a minimum of 12 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars before its commercial release.
Crafted exclusively from estate-grown grapes. A manual selection of the finest Tempranillo clusters from the "Olivo" plot and Graciano vines from "Pago de San Gregorio Grande." Alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before being racked into new French oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged for 24 months in new 225-liter French and American oak barrels. Limited production of 21,414 bottles. It underwent a minimum of 12 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Dark garnet-red with medium-high depth; opaque and "cloaked." Displays
brilliant pomegranate and orange reflections; radiant. A significant
amount of sediment is present at the base, suggesting the wine was
bottled unfiltered. Narrow copper rim, sharply defined against the
meniscus. Densely tinted and persistent legs.
Nose:
Remarkable intensity. Complex and densely packed with layers of
information. It flashes intermittently with details that appear and
vanish like sparks. Initially somewhat confusing and challenging to
decode, dominated by notes of fruit in liqueur, aniseed, grated cocoa,
medicinal ointments (menthol), toast, and balsamics. It takes its time
to "warm up" and integrate all its components. As it breathes, it
becomes more harmonious and elegant, revealing an educated, fragrant,
and high-purity expression of Tempranillo. The quality of the raw
material here is undeniable.
Palate:
Broad, thick, and mature. Creamy on the palate with seamlessly
integrated acidity and near-perfect balance. It is the polar opposite of
the initial nose: orderly, with no highs or lows. It feels as though it
is reaching the finish line after a long sprint. A wine in its absolute
prime, giving everything without reservation.
Commentary:
The
general consensus is that this 1995 has reached its peak. It is a
monumental Rioja that has fully integrated its powerful structure,
though it is unlikely to progress further with additional bottle aging. A
magnificent, "all-in" performance.
Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Average: 92
Tasting Group Average: 92
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