Bodega Contador

Gorgeous ripe nose of peach, citrus, fine spices and lanolin. Layered and creamy on the palate, with sweet, earthy flavours, supported by vivid and balanced acidity. Finished by a symphony of fresh flavours, this wine is a revelation and reinvents white Rioja. 8 months in new French oak. 73% Garnacha Blanca, 15% Malvasía, 12% Viura.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Following on from the huge success of the 2012 Spanish Gold offer, the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd knew that we would have to find some truly outstanding new wines to better the offer in 2013. Fortunately we have done just that and are very proud to present our latest, major Rioja producer, Bodega Contador. The property was founded as recently as 1995, but the fact that it has become one of Rioja’s most respected wineries in such a relatively short time, is testament to its superb terroir and the brilliant wine making skill of proprietor Benjamin Romeo. Starting off with an awe inspiring cellar hewn into the rock beneath the Castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, finding extra space in his parents’ garage, where he crafted the stunning 2004 and 2005 vintages, which both received 100 points from the Wine Advocate. In 2008 Benjamin completed his new, state of the art winery, built into the hills of Rioja surrounded by his vineyards. Benjamin’s wine making is relatively modern, with individual vineyard plots farmed to very small yields and vinified separately, before ageing for a comparatively short 18-20 months in new French oak (as opposed to the traditional American oak). The results are extraordinary. Grenache-based blend, this Cacareaba offers orange blossom and stone fruit aromas, touch of almond and white peach on the palate. Lovely creamy texture.
Chris Lamb, London Shop

Bodega Contador was founded as recently as 1995, but has already become one of Rioja’s most respected wineries – thanks to its superb terroir and the brilliant winemaking skill of proprietor Benjamin Romeo. His first vintages (2004 and ’05) both garnered 100 points from the Wine Advocate. Benjamin’s winemaking is relatively modern and the results are extraordinary.

Benjamin’s muse is the most feminine and complex of his range. It’s the only wine which he fits into the traditional classification system, with 24 months of wood ageing and a further 36 months in bottle, entitling it to Gran Reserva status. The blend includes Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, each weaving subtle flavour and nuance into the ensemble. The wine is richly structured. Distinctive savoury notes are juxtaposed with the berry fruit. Liquorice, fig and pot-pourri underwrite the latent complexity.

The Cueva is all Tempranillo and is sourced from seven different vineyards, all of which have either sandy clay or calcareous clay soils. Aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak, the 2011 has a powerful nose of ripe blackberry and soft spice; the ripeness is also evident on the palate, which is powerful yet has finely integrated tannins and a hint of balsam on the finish, as one often finds with high quality Tempranillo.
Nicholas Stewart -  Fine Wine Team

Andres is the child of a single vineyard; ‘La Liende’ close to the village of San Vicente de Sonsierra to be precise. The soils are located close to what is charmingly described as the Ebro Meander, and include a high proportion of clay. They are also relatively steep and devoted to Tempranilo. As are we; mocha and mineral notes dance alongside the ripe red, blue and black fruits. Beyond the youthful bravado there is real finesse and great potential here.
Nicholas Stewart - Fine Wine Team

Contador’s nod to the Rioja establishment, this traditionally aged Gran Reserva is packed with notes of clove, hung meats and sous-bois. Textured, rich and savoury on the palate this is already showing beautifully. Ideally matched with Rioja’s classic dish of suckling lamb, this is a wine which will come alive with food.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Following on from the huge success of the 2012 Spanish Gold offer, the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd knew that we would have to find some truly outstanding new wines to better the offer in 2013. Fortunately we have done just that and are very proud to present our latest, major Rioja producer, Bodega Contador. The property was founded as recently as 1995, but the fact that it has become one of Rioja’s most respected wineries in such a relatively short time, is testament to its superb terroir and the brilliant wine making skill of proprietor Benjamin Romeo. Starting off with an awe inspiring cellar hewn into the rock beneath the Castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, finding extra space in his parents’ garage, where he crafted the stunning 2004 and 2005 vintages, which both received 100 points from the Wine Advocate. In 2008 Benjamin completed his new, state of the art winery, built into the hills of Rioja surrounded by his vineyards. Benjamin’s wine making is relatively modern, with individual vineyard plots farmed to very small yields and vinified separately, before ageing for a comparatively short 18-20 months in new French oak (as opposed to the traditional American oak). The results are extraordinary.

A complex aroma of spices, flowers and pretty red fruits. Contrastingly rich on the palate with layers and layers of flavour, this is a full bodied, long-term Rioja. Textured, ripe and mouth filling tannins. There is a huge amount of potential in this wine, which has spent 18 months in new French oak, and is 100% Tempranillo.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Following on from the huge success of the 2012 Spanish Gold offer, the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd knew that we would have to find some truly outstanding new wines to better the offer in 2013. Fortunately we have done just that and are very proud to present our latest, major Rioja producer, Bodega Contador. The property was founded as recently as 1995, but the fact that it has become one of Rioja’s most respected wineries in such a relatively short time, is testament to its superb terroir and the brilliant wine making skill of proprietor Benjamin Romeo. Starting off with an awe inspiring cellar hewn into the rock beneath the Castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, finding extra space in his parents’ garage, where he crafted the stunning 2004 and 2005 vintages, which both received 100 points from the Wine Advocate. In 2008 Benjamin completed his new, state of the art winery, built into the hills of Rioja surrounded by his vineyards. Benjamin’s wine making is relatively modern, with individual vineyard plots farmed to very small yields and vinified separately, before ageing for a comparatively short 18-20 months in new French oak (as opposed to the traditional American oak). The results are extraordinary.

The jewel in the crown of this remarkable estate. This outstanding Rioja shows the full potential of the Tempranillo grape, with a tiny amount of Garnacha, for flesh and meatiness. A soaring nose of perfume, strawberries, raspberries and vanilla, combined perfectly with tilled earth, roasted meats and cinnamon. The palate has exceptional power, yet perfect poise, which is always the sign of a great wine: layers and layers of fruit develop on the palate, which is at the same time spicy and savoury. Eventually the soft, smooth weight gives way to an ethereal, fine, yet driven finish of bright acidity, fine tannins and delicate flavours of rosemary and red fruits. 
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

Following on from the huge success of the 2012 Spanish Gold offer, the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd knew that we would have to find some truly outstanding new wines to better the offer in 2013. Fortunately we have done just that and are very proud to present our latest, major Rioja producer, Bodega Contador. The property was founded as recently as 1995, but the fact that it has become one of Rioja’s most respected wineries in such a relatively short time, is testament to its superb terroir and the brilliant wine making skill of proprietor Benjamin Romeo. Starting off with an awe inspiring cellar hewn into the rock beneath the Castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, finding extra space in his parents’ garage, where he crafted the stunning 2004 and 2005 vintages, which both received 100 points from the Wine Advocate. In 2008 Benjamin completed his new, state of the art winery, built into the hills of Rioja surrounded by his vineyards. Benjamin’s wine making is relatively modern, with individual vineyard plots farmed to very small yields and vinified separately, before ageing for a comparatively short 18-20 months in new French oak (as opposed to the traditional American oak). The results are extraordinary.

Bodega Contador was founded as recently as 1995, but has already become one of Rioja’s most respected wineries – thanks to its superb terroir and the brilliant winemaking skill of proprietor Benjamin Romeo. His first vintages (2004 and ’05) both garnered 100 points from the Wine Advocate. Benjamin’s winemaking is relatively modern, with individual plots vinified separately, choosing French over American oak. The results are extraordinary.

The nose is sumptuous, layered with rich red fruits, enveloped in spicy cassis, vanilla and white chocolate. A stunning palate follows – velveteen, dense and smooth, with masses of fruit. The finish is excellent, full of balanced power, with crunchy, long, fresh tannins. The wine spent 18 months in new French oak. This is a brilliant expression of pure Tempranillo.