Contino 939 Reserva, the new vintage of The Society’s collaboration with this famous Rioja property, is now available to buy en primeur.
The 2019 Rioja vintage was characterised by a hot, dry summer and a long, gradual harvest which resulted in great levels of ripeness balanced by freshness. This combination has made for a very successful year and I’m delighted to report that the 939 is outstanding.
The wine will be delivered in spring 2023
I have the privilege of gaining back door access to Contino, selecting barrels and blending this exclusive Wine Society wine with winemaker Jorge Nevascues. The 2019 is made up of 68% tempranillo, 22% graciano and 10% mazuelo which has been aged in a mixture of French and American oak for two years. The grapes are all hand harvested from the vineyards surrounding the Contino bodega with a significant proportion of the fruit come from two parcels (Don Vicente and San Gregoria) within the estate’s famous Olivo plot.
The wine is deeply coloured, weighty and concentrated with immense depth, elegance and ripe tannins. The hallmark of this vintage is the freshness which lifts the dark, spicy fruit. It has just been bottled, ageing in Contino’s natural cool cellars until released in 2023, when it will qualify its status as a Reserva. It will age with ease to 2032.
The 2019 is the seventh vintage The Society has offered – the 2010, which was called Contino ‘930’ being the first. The olive tree that grows in Contino’s beautiful vineyard on the Ebro river is some 900 years old, or so we were told on our first visit exactly 42 years ago – hence the name of this unique cuvée, ‘939’. I hope you enjoy it.
Pierre Mansour
Director of Wine and Buyer for Spain
This offer will close at midday on Thursday 11th August. Orders will then be entered into an allocation system and confirmations of successful orders will be sent out by Tuesday 16th August at the latest. The wine will be delivered in spring 2023.