Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2019: best 2029 to 2049.
vintage10 yrs30 yrs32 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2022 | 2019 | 98/100 |
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2021 | 2018 | 97/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: black cherry, cassis, mocha, violet, mineral
Palate: concentrated black fruit, velvet tannin, graphite, long savour
Benjamin Romeo's cult garage wine from old San Vicente vines; deep, polished and powerful yet fresh. Multiple vintages have earned perfect 100-point scores from Wine Advocate.
What it pairs with
-
Venison loin
Dark game meets Contador's concentrated cassis and graphite. -
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A grand char-grilled beef chop for Rioja's modern icon. -
Aged hard cheese
Crystalline cheese sharpens the long mineral finish.
How to serve Contador
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Venison loin, Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Aged hard cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Contador began as a garage wine made by Benjamin Romeo in a cave beneath San Vicente. The 2004 and 2005 vintages were awarded 100 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, reframing what modern Rioja could achieve.
- 1996: First Contador vintage made in a cave cellar
- 2007: 2004 and 2005 vintages awarded 100 points by Wine Advocate
Facts
- Producer
- Bodega Contador · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (92%), Graciano (5%), Garnacha (3%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 18 to 20 months in new French oak
- ABV
- 15.0%
- Price
- EUR 150 to 300 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1996
Frequently asked about Contador
What does Contador taste like?
On the nose, black cherry, cassis, mocha, violet, mineral. On the palate, concentrated black fruit, velvet tannin, graphite, long savour. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a very long finish. Benjamin Romeo's cult garage wine from old San Vicente vines; deep, polished and powerful yet fresh. Multiple vintages have earned perfect 100-point scores from Wine Advocate.
When should I drink Contador?
Drink 10 to 30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Contador?
Venison loin is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey a la brasa and Aged hard cheese. Dark game meets Contador's concentrated cassis and graphite.
Is Contador vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Contador?
The blend is Tempranillo (92%), Graciano (5%), Garnacha (3%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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