2020 Benjamin Romeo Alma Contador (750ml)

Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Known as a region of castles and kings, Rioja is undergoing a transformation, fueled by a new generation of "princes," a passionate group of skillful winemakers crafting terroir-driven wines. Reflecting this "change of paradigm" in the region according to the Wine Advocate's Luis Gutierrez, these outstanding 97 plus pt. selections are a stunning array of elegant and complex vineyard-driven Riojas to enjoy over the next decade or more, all released on the prestigious La Place de Bordeaux in limited quantities and offered at best on the market pricing.

An intensely aromatic and elegantly structured 100% Tempranillo, the lush full-bodied 97 pt. single vineyard 2019 CVNE Real de Asua is sourced exclusively from small, concentrated grapes grown in CVNE’s 2 hectare high altitude Carromaza vineyard near Haro. Aged for 12 months in new French oak, the elegant 97 pt. 2019 CVNE Real de Asua offers unctuous fruit flavors hinting of smoked spice and smooth, integrated tannins, described as “the naked essence of Rioja” by critic Gutierrez, summing it up as “superb.” Poised to rank among the region’s most collectible single vineyard Tempranillo wines, the inaugural limited release of the thrilling 98 pt. 2019 Marques de Riscal "Tapias" de Marques de Riscal comes from an organically farmed 2.8-hectare parcel in the estate’s terraced, high altitude Finca Las Tapias vineyard, planted with vines up to 100 years old. Aged in 50% new French oak, the 98 pt. 2019 Marques de Riscal Tapias powers out of the glass with opulent aromatics and lush, beautifully textured fruit, “delicious now” according to James Suckling, with “great aging potential” ahead, earning a place on both his Top 100 Wines of 2022 and the Top 100 Spanish Wines of 2022 and called “a beautiful wine” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson. Also an inaugural release from superstar 100 pt. winemaker Benjamin Romeo formerly of Artadi, the powerful 97 pt. 2020 Benjamin Romeo Alma Contador is an elegant, rich Rioja available at a fraction of the Bodega’s flagship cult favorite wine, sourced from meticulously selected old vine fruit grown on three parcels at different elevations. Utilizing a range of custom made new French oak barrels, Benjamin aged the 97 pt. 2020 Alma for 20 months, revealing perfumed, luscious, spiced fruit balanced on a bright mineral finish with remarkable persistence, a meticulously balanced Rioja that’s both “powerful and elegant” according to the Wine Advocate’s Gutierrez.

Exhibiting the power and purity of high altitude, old vine Tempranillo, these vineyard-driven selections from Rioja’s most masterful winemakers boast depth and complexity promising to reward Rioja fans each time they open a bottle, meticulously crafted to deliver years of drinking enjoyment at an unbeatable price.

97WA

The new red blend 2020 Alma Contador is going to be sold mostly through the négociants from Bordeaux. It was produced with grapes from three vineyards in San Vicente de la Sonsierra at different altitudes and is a blend of Tempranillo with 8% Garnacha with limited yields because of mildew. It matured in new French barriques for 20 months. He wanted a more classical image and perhaps a more classical profile of wine. It's perfumed and floral, with notes of aromatic herbs, a little balsamic and quite showy, with very fine tannins and freshness, as he used more grapes from the higher-altitude zones. It's powerful and elegant, and in a way it reminds me of the style of the initial vintages of La Cueva de Contador; it's clean and elegant. It's 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.55. It's very young but still drinkable, as the quality of the tannins is very good. I think this is the one wine I'd buy from their portfolio if I could only buy one. It transported me to the wines from the early 2000s. 10,000 bottles produced.

97 points, Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (Jul 2022)

Alcohol By Volume: 14.5%

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$99.98

Compare At: $109.99

60 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

This item is available in original wood case. Would you like to include the wood case in your order? There is an additional $12.00 shipping fee for wood cases.

Available in Original Wood Case of 6

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