2017 CVNE, Contino Vina del Olivo, Rioja

Contino was established in 1973 by CVNE as the first single-estate winery in Rioja, located in a 16th-century farmhouse near Laguardia in the Rioja Alavesa sub-region. This wine is made from 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano grown in the estate's distinct calcareous clay soil, a plot recognized by the ancient olive tree for which the wine is named. In the glass, it presents flavors of plum, currant, and licorice, supported by a firm structure and persistent, fine-grained tannins. The 2017 vintage was marked by severe spring frost and a hot, dry summer, which resulted in reduced yields and a concentrated, fresh profile. With its notable balance and acidity, this wine is built for the cellar and will continue to evolve over the next decade.