Fine Wine Classic Rioja Case

This special and exclusive Rioja is a reserva that is a collaboration between The Wine Society and the outstanding single-vineyard Contino property. Two plots provide the fruit – San Rafael and Olivo – with the 2020 made up of 82% tempranillo, 12% graciano and 6% mazuelo which has been aged in a mixture of French and American oak for 17 months. 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 2024 and qualifies as a Reserva.This exclusive 2020 is the eighth 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 40 years ago – hence the name of this unique cuvée, ‘940`. Drink from 2026 to 2034. 13%

From the elegant and highly rated 2005 vintage, this is a refined, savoury and fully mature Rioja. Graceful and fine with exquisite flavours of tobacco and cedarwood, this was praised by Decanter Magazine for ‘displaying all the complexity that you'd expect from a gran reserva at nearly 20 years of age.` The bodega is located in Sonsierra where the poor but well drained limestone-clay soils at 500 to 600-metres altitude up in the foothills provide a perfect terroir for old-vine tempranillo, grown on bush vines and hand harvested at low yields. Low stock – limited to six bottles per member.

Legendary Rioja from this acutely traditional bodega in Haro. The 2013 Tondonia red is 70% tempranillo with 20% garnacha and 10% graciano and mazuelo combined. The reserva spends six years in barrel (just one would satisfy the DO regulations) and several more than the required two in bottle before release. The result is a balanced, pure and savoury style, with crushed cherries, forest floor and wild herbs. Long and complete.

2019 ranks among the top three vintages of the decade, its cooler Atlantic influences bringing freshness to the smoky, complex and unapologetically fine Rioja profile. Aged for three years in barrel and a further year in bottle, it’s a classic expression – smooth and refined, with ample sweet plum fruit, signature balsamic notes and impressive depth on the palate.

A powerful yet classy reserva from the Muga family, with pristine, ripe fruit and softly rounded tannins. The 2022 is balanced and complex, capturing all the hallmarks of a fine Rioja, with plenty of sweet spice, and succulent dark berry fruit. Based in the old railway quarter of Haro, Muga is a fine old bodega, with its own cooperage. Indeed we believe Muga is making some of the very best Rioja available today.

The 2021 Exhibition Rioja Reserva has been given the additional 'Selección Especial' designation on the label in recognition of the outstanding quality of the vintage. Winemaker Guillermo de Aranzabal of the renowned La Rioja Alta S.A. describes 2021 as one of the finest years he has encountered, comparable to the celebrated 2001. This historic and traditional Rioja house is revered for wines of class and depth. The 2021 spent two years maturing in a combination of new and seasoned American oak barrels from La Rioja Alta’s own cooperage. The nose transports you unmistakably to fragrant, spicy and seductive classic Rioja, with vanilla, cinnamon and ripe dark fruit. The 2021 has added depth and concentration and is finely textured, long and beautifully composed. Still young, we suggest decanting, or even double decanting, before serving.