La Cueva del Contador Benjamin Romeo 2011

Benjamin Romeo La Cueva del Contador 2011 is a full-bodied Tempranillo-based red wine from the Rioja region of Spain. Having been the winemaker at revered Rioja producer Artadi for 15 years, Benjamin Romeo began his solo project, Bodega Contador, in 1995. His flagship wine, Contador, is produced from 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha sourced from three parcels of vines ranging between 60 and 80 years of age. The wine is matured in 100% new French oak for 19 months and bottled without fining or filtration. "I`ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the La Cueva del Contador cuvee, which in the 2011 vintage comes through as a powerful version of a Cote de Nuits, with red and black fruits, vanilla and cinnamon and a balanced, soft palate with intense flavours, good acidity and harmony. It should develop more complexity with time in bottle, but it-s approachable now." Robert Parker