The Bodega Contador was founded in 1995 when Benjamin Romeo, winemaker and grower, acquired a centuries old cave beneath the Castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra (Rioja). In 1996 he made the first vintage of his “La Cueva... Read More
Like the majority of these wines, the percentage of wine in concrete that didn't see any oak in the 2020 Treinta y Dos has been increased to 50%, and the remaining 50% matured in French oak barrels (only 10% new) for nine... Read More
Leafy herbs, red and blue fruits, tobacco, cedarwood, and iron notes all emerge from the 2020 Camaspelo, another up-front, charming, soft, surprisingly supple red from this team. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has fine... Read More
A new, limited production wine from Suduiraut made only in select vintages with just 800 bottles produced in 2020. Honeyed lemon and caramel on the nose, with acacia and toasted elements. Cinnamon, vanilla and orange zest open... Read More
Pretty if restrained aromas are comprised by notes of red and dark currant, newly turned earth, orange peel and a vague floral wisp. There is excellent detail and vibrancy to the delicious if not especially dense flavors that... Read More
Ripe and appealingly fresh aromas of red and dark cherry coulis enjoy top notes of various spices and violet. The super-sleek, intense and beautifully well-detailed middle weight flavors deliver very fine length on the dusty,... Read More
A mentholated top note is present on the even spicier and slightly more floral-suffused aromas of airy dark berries, sandalwood and jasmine tea. The lacy, even lilting, flavors also exude a subtle bead of minerality on the nicely... Read More
A slightly more elegant nose features notes of poached plum, black raspberry, violet and anise hints. There is a notably finer mouthfeel to the attractively textured medium weight flavors that conclude in a firmer and better-balanced... Read More
A subtle application of wood is present on the slightly more deeply pitched nose of cassis, black raspberry liqueur and exotic tea scents. The sleek, intense and more precise medium-bodied flavors exude a subtle minerality on... Read More
A perfumed and exceptionally pretty nose combines notes of dark raspberry, exotic tea and a broad range of floral elements. The succulent, refined and admirably punchy medium weight plus flavors possess excellent delineation and... Read More
A spicy and relatively high-toned nose features notes of various red berries, plum and a hint of exotic tea. Once again there is a really lovely texture to the nicely tension-filled medium weight flavors that exude evident minerality... Read More
Decidedly cool, pure and wafting aromas of red and dark pinot fruit are exuberantly spicy and beautifully elegant while displaying lovely layering. The round and utterly delicious medium weight flavors possess a bit more volume... Read More
Here the expressive nose is more elegant than it usually is with its pretty extract of black pinot fruit, soft earth, violet and rose petal scents. The lilting but impressively punchy medium-bodied flavors retain excellent delineation... Read More
The pure, super-elegant and airy nose displays its array of plum, red and dark currant, spice and pretty floral wisps. The notably finer if less powerful and muscular middle weight flavors also possess both lovely detail and punch,... Read More
A wonderfully spicy nose offers up its aromas of both red and dark raspberry, violet and soft floral nuances. There is once again a lovely texture along with fine detail to the more refined middle weight flavors that deliver very... Read More
Intense on the nose, there's some rich, plum scents that points to its Brune origins. Medium-bodied, it's nicely weighted and there's good palate presence. The acidity is firm and balanced, as is the alcohol. A fairly... Read More
Enough wood to comment on setting off the ripe and layered dark berry and earth-suffused nose. There is both impressive richness and mid-palate concentration to the powerful big-bodied flavors that possess real punch and drive... Read More
The 2020 Côte a Côte is a beautiful blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre and one of the most successful wines I tasted from the challenging 2020 vintage. Deep ruby-purple, it offers pure aromas... Read More
Very pretty orange peel with currants and blue berries. Flowers, too. Medium to full body with firm and velvety tannins that are polished and impressive. Fresh fruit at the end. Serious structure and brightness. Drink after 2026.... Read More