Contador 2012 is another vintage of the greatest wine by Benjamín Romeo, his true masterpiece. Rated with 96 Parker points, this vintage brought to you by the Club follows the path of excellence set by the unforgettable 2004 and 2005 vintages, which achieved the highest score of 100, awarded by The Wine Advocate.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
4% Graciano, 92% Tempranillo, 4% Mazuelo
Type of barrel
French oak barrels
Type of bottle
Bordeaux Bottle
Barrel aging time
19 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Total acidity (g/l)
5.30
pH
3.64
Alcohol content (% vol.)
15.20
General Information
From a garage in San Vicente de la Sonsierra to the pinnacle of the wine scene. Contador is a red wine from the D.O.Ca. Rioja that forged its own legend by earning, for two consecutive vintages, the highest score, 100 out of 100, that a wine can achieve, according to the assessment of the American guru Robert Parker. Contador 2012 follows this trail of quality and high ratings (97 points), thanks to its great maturity, savoriness, and balance.
The distinctive note of this blend of tempranillo, graciano, and mazuelo lies in the strict selection of grapes carried out by Bodega Contador. The grapes come from a mosaic of 9 plots scattered across the areas of San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Ábalos, with different soils, microclimates, and at varying altitudes, factors that contribute greater complexity to the grapes. Of the grape clusters selected for Contador 2012, only 50% were ultimately used in its production, which culminated in a meticulously executed 19-month aging process in new French oak barrels. Only 5,900 bottles of this true oenological gem were produced. Don’t hesitate to get yours.
The distinctive note of this blend of tempranillo, graciano, and mazuelo lies in the strict selection of grapes carried out by Bodega Contador. The grapes come from a mosaic of 9 plots scattered across the areas of San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Ábalos, with different soils, microclimates, and at varying altitudes, factors that contribute greater complexity to the grapes. Of the grape clusters selected for Contador 2012, only 50% were ultimately used in its production, which culminated in a meticulously executed 19-month aging process in new French oak barrels. Only 5,900 bottles of this true oenological gem were produced. Don’t hesitate to get yours.
Tasting notes
Of intense and bright blackberry red color.
On the nose, it stands out for its aromas of ripe red and black fruits, balsamic notes, and aromatic herbs (thyme, rosemary, lavender, fennel), along with a pronounced mineral character with a background of very fine and well-integrated woods.
On the palate, it is fine and powerful at the same time, as well as very full-bodied. Balanced with a long and intense finish.
On the nose, it stands out for its aromas of ripe red and black fruits, balsamic notes, and aromatic herbs (thyme, rosemary, lavender, fennel), along with a pronounced mineral character with a background of very fine and well-integrated woods.
On the palate, it is fine and powerful at the same time, as well as very full-bodied. Balanced with a long and intense finish.
The winery
Benjamín Romeo is one of the most prominent figures among those local winemakers who renewed Rioja in the nineties. His wine Contador catapulted him to international glory. A revolutionary Rioja with which he achieved, in two consecutive vintages (2004 and 2005), the 100 Parker points, the highest international recognition for a wine. The meticulous care of the vineyard explains the quality of his range of wines, conceived as a reflection of the environment and the terroir.
The history of Bodegas Contador began in 1995, in a small garage winery. And it was literally "garage," as his first wines fermented in a garage, while the aging process took place in a cave dug into the hillside, traditionally used for winemaking and aging: the Contador cave. After leaving Artadi in 1999, where he worked as a winemaker, Benjamín Romeo devoted all his attention to his personal project.
A great connoisseur of the area, he gradually acquired small vineyards around San Vicente de Sonsierra (D.O.Ca. Rioja), on the slopes of the Sierra de Toloño, which met high-quality standards: old vines on poor soils, with different exposures and altitudes. In 2008, he inaugurated a new and spectacular winery in the middle of the vineyards of San Vicente de la Sonsierra.