CVNE : Contino Viña del Olivo 2019

The finesse and smoothness of a Rioja wine

The estate

The history of CVNE or Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España began in 1879. This family winery was founded by two brothers in the Haro train station area of the Rioja region in Spain. The company's strategic location enabled them to successfully market the bodega's wines and facilitated the transport of wine barrels and bottling. Since then, the fifth generation has continued the drive forward the family legacy. The company has now become one of Spain's leading wine groups.

CVNE reigns over a vineyard of 545 hectares that spread over the exceptional terroirs of La Rioja Alta and La Rioja Alavesa.

The vineyard

Viñedos del Contino is a winery created in 1973 that established the concept of "chateau" in the Rioja appellation. Comprising a surface area of 62 hectares, the estate's vineyards are located near the village of Laguardia in the Rioja Alavesa wine region.

The wine

Contino Viña Olivo Selection by CVNE is made from a manual selection of the best grapes from the El Olivo plot. Planted in 1980, these vines are located on a sloping clay-limestone soil (5-7%) with a southern exposure and are managed without the use of herbicides, favouring the use of organic fertilisers.

The vintage

2019 is a year with particularly low rainfall. A mild and dry start to the vegetative cycle preceded a summer punctuated by heatwaves, which had an impact on the size of the grapes. The harvest was carried out under excellent weather conditions and resulted in the harvesting of high-quality grapes.

Vinification and ageing

Spontaneous fermentation in French oak vats for eighteen days precedes malolactic fermentation, also in vats. The wine is aged for 17 months in French (80%) and American (20%) oak barrels, 49% of which are new, followed by a 2-month period in oak vats.

The blend

Tempranillo (67%)

Graciano (23%)

Mazuela (10%).

Contino Viña Olivo Selection 2019 by CVNE: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Nose
The nose blends fruity fragrances (ripe red fruit) with woody notes sustained by a smooth minerality.

Palate
Harmoniously combining power and roundness, the palate is seduced by this wine’s silky feel and fine tannins.