2015 Rioja Rosado

Contino is entering the high-end Rosé market with a 2015 Rosado produced as a blend of 60% Garnacha, 35% Graciano and 5% white Viura, the first commercial vintage of this wine. They aim at a Rosé that can last at least four years through the tannins obtained from the barrel ageing and the natural high acidity of the varieties. To achieve higher concentration, there is a bleeding. The varieties fermented separately and weren't allowed to go through malolactic. The wine was kept in 500-liter oak barrels for some nine months. 2015 was a ripe vintage, and the Garnacha achieved quite high potential ripeness; the wine remained with 3.3 grams of sugar, which compensates the very high acidity. It doesn't feel bone dry, but it does feel quite balanced. This is an aromatic Rosé (in the Jura they'd call it a red!). It does have stuffing and a little tannin, with a slightly bitter finish. I think it should age for those four years they were aiming for... 1,900 bottles.