2011 Contino Gran Reserva, CVNE, Rioja (magnum)

This is the most elegant wine produced by Contino. It is classic Rioja made from grapes which age more slowly because they are harvested from stony soil which keeps the ground humid. Great attention is given to the vinification methods and the wine is then aged for two years in a combination of American and French oak casks. Once in bottle, another two years pass before it is released and this results in a wine that is extremely aromatic with autumnal fruit on the initial nose and a toasty, spicy second wave. The palate is full and rich with great depth of character and a long, smooth, and luxurious finish. Roasted meats, stews, and typical Spanish flavours will marry well with this delicious wine.

"Vivid ruby-red. Displays expansive, smoke-tinged red fruit preserve and cherry-vanilla scents, along with vanilla, tobacco and allspice flourishes. Seamless and appealingly sweet, offering concentrated cherry, blackcurrant and spicecake flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. The smoky note repeats on the sweet, seamless and impressively long finish, which features rounded tannins and lingering vanilla and mocha qualities"
Vinous.com