2017 Contino - Vina del Olivo
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Tasting notes
Deep, glistening ruby. Expressive cherry and dark berry liqueur aromas are accented by smoky mineral, oak spice, potpourri, cola and pipe tobacco notes. Sappy and expansive in the mouth, displaying primary, spice-laced cassis and cherry compote flavors that are supported by a spine of zesty minerality. Gains sweetness and depth with air and finishes extremely long and smoky, with steadily building tannins and lingering spiciness.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
This is a very strong and muscular red with very toned tannins that frame the blue fruit and wet earth. Subtle and cool. Structured and chewy. Shows power. Needs three to four years to soften. Try after 2021.
Super young and just bottled, the 2017 Viña del Olivo is the flagship single-vineyard bottling from a plot planted in 1980 on a combination of limestone and clay, which is rare on the property where the majority of soils are alluvial; the estate is in a big meander of the Ebro River. This was the first vineyard they harvested on the 6th of September, and the blend is Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuela. It had a soft, long fermentation in small oak vats, and the élevage was 16 months in barrique and a further three months in oak vats. It follows the style of the 2016 and is leaner and a little more austere, with an electric palate and good acidity. There is no room for sweetness here, and the wine is savory. It's very young and shows very good finesse. They produced 15,000 liters of this and filled around 20,000 bottles in April 2019.