3/22/19, 1:21 AM - It's possible but I didn't think so. Certainly very different to a bottle of 2006 a few weeks ago which had quite a lush palate for a Tondonia.
11/3/17, 2:23 AM - There is a wine on the market called Gran Reserva in 75cl size. The length of time the reserva spends in bottle and the cellar qualifies it for the GR designation but, to my knowledge, the actual Gran Reserva which is vinified in a different way is only released in Magnum.I think 1995 and 96 were exceptions to this.
11/4/17, 2:24 AM - I have been to many tastings where representatives of the company have told me that the GR is ony released in Magnum.I have visited the winery and tasted from barrel on three occasions.On these visits I have tasted the wine that was to become the Reserva and the wine destined to be the GR.There are multiple sources available on the internet that are under the same impression as me regarding the vinification of the GR.There is nothing to stop them from changing their minds of course which would make my information out of date.However I would be very sceptical that a poor vintage like 2008 would ever be considered suitable for a Gran Reserva at Contino.Legally if a wine spends the appropriate time in cask and bottle it can be labeled as a GR. I have no issue with this.This explains my comment earlier as it's the only way I can understand this situation.But traditionally Contino vinified the wine that was to become the GR in a different way and only released it in magnum.Hopefully the winery will be able to clarify this situation for you.I'm just working off what I have been told and what I have seen with my own eyes over the years.
11/5/17, 2:46 AM - "I heard often "only in magnum", but never that contino sell there reserva in 0.75l as GR too, only because its legal. First time i read this here and that shocked me a little bit."I didn't state this as a fact.Like you I'm trying to understand how a vintage that the winery and it's representatives state is only bottled in Magnum comes to be sold in bottles.This is the only way I think it could come about.Hoprfully you will get a response that is to your satisfaction.
3/29/18, 1:13 PM - I once saw someone holding a copy of the Mona Lisa but they were not in the Louvre so I was suspicious.But if you consider the matter should be closed, who am I to argue.
4/2/18, 5:28 AM - Thank you very much mimik (sorry don't know your name)Have you read my comments above from 11/3/2017 and 11/4/17 ?The Contino GR is made in a different way to the reserva. It is made in very good years. 2008 was not a good year. Yet there appears to be a GR.The winery told me the GR was only in magnum when I visited.A point reiterated by the UK importers and winery reps at countless trade shows and tastings.Yet, as you correctly point out, it is available in 75cl.There is an inconsistency there I grant you that.Perhaps they opened the magnums and re bottled into 75cl?Unlikely imo.My question is whether it is THE GR or A GR.But what really matters is whether you like the wine inside or not.For my part I will not be buying any 08 09 or 10 GR unless in Magnum.Why should you listen to some random guy on CT when the winery is telling you something different.Happy drinking!Best wishes.
10/17/17, 12:39 AM - Your're welcome. Have gone off this bigger style recently but this bottle restored some faith.
6/25/17, 11:39 AM - Indeed Paco. Trust me if I could have bought a 75cl I would have!Though I've had some love 1964 CVNE VR's from half bottles (some duds too)
5/30/16, 3:15 PM - Hi HarleyI don't understand the second part of your comment.I have had three halves. The two tried tonight were Flawed.
5/30/16, 4:15 PM - I wrote "flawed" on both tasting notes.I'd like to think people take the time to read the notes not just look at the points/flawed part!Anyway, thanks for the tip, I've ticked the box as well.
3/9/15, 11:31 AM - It doesn't hit the heights of the 01 but direct from the cellar yesterday it was a very typical C9 and exactly what I was looking for.The remaining half today (at room temp) showed no sign of 'burn' nor the stewed fruit notes of the under performing years.I think that cuveés with very high Grenache content are best avoided in ripe years.
7/15/13, 3:55 PM - Hi,I think this will only reveal it's true self in another twenty years, maybe ten.The 904's from the 70's are still interesting so I hope that this will be as interesting in another few decades!!However the 2001 904 is really great right now, but it will go on, and on, and on!
4/22/13, 2:08 AM - No, I don't believe it is any of those things.There was nothing 'wrong' with the first bottle, it just displayed the characteristics of a more traditional style (also it may have been opened for longer in the store- it was on tasting)The possible causes you mention are faults and (apart from the tca) the 04's just showed variation, it's a high production wine.The variation in the 01's could be down to what you mention but I have been told (from a merchant here) that there were certain batch(es) the winery were not happy with. Also I bought the 01's on release so doubt it was storage.
4/22/13, 12:52 PM - Funny you say that about Spain not experiencing such variation, my bottles were bought there!I think 01 04 05 are excellent in Rioja. I will be visiting LRA for the first time in two weeks and am very much looking forward to it as I enjoy Ardanza 904 and 890.
4/23/13, 12:46 AM - Yes, visiting shortly. It will be my fourth visit but first time at La Rioja Alta.Previous visits have been to Contino, Roda, Pujanza, Lopez de Heredia, Muga, Basilio Izquierdo, Remirez de Ganuza and a few others.I wish I had some 95 Ardanza, oldest is 2000 at the moment but have 94,95,97,98 of the 904 and some 95 of the 890.
4/23/13, 4:21 AM - Hablo un poco (pero solo un poco!)
4/23/13, 12:57 PM - London
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