Ming L

9.2

I like to drink Rioja Reserva at 8–12 years of age, when the balance really clicks: the woody notes are fully integrated, lending gentle spice, cedar, and tobacco, while the fruit remains vibrant and expressive. The 2015 Contino Reserva shows just that sweet spot with ripe red and black cherry, dried herbs, and a touch of leather, framed by fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. It’s poised rather than powerful, with a long savory finish.
Certainly has the stuffing for another 8-10 years development. — 5 months ago

Lance E. Farman

9.1

Massive wine, huge flavor, judicious oak. Usually wines like this would be goopy but this is not. — 6 months ago

Ericsson

9.6

Silk and stone in perfect balance.
Quiet power; dark cherry, tobacco, graphite; unfolding with patience and grace. Another great Unico. — 6 months ago

John Van Trijp

9.8

Weekend with Friends and average wines…😎 — 6 months ago

Galen Hasler

9.0

Beautiful northern IT style red, light body — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

2013 vintage. Tasted via Coravin. Closed for biz currently. 12.10.25. — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Deep Ruby color, purple hues, aromas of red and black fruits with herb and cigar spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with vanilla, cacao and tobacco. Fine round tannins, medium+ length ending with fruit, tobacco and mineral spice. Good now! — 7 months ago

Richard Dansereau

9.0

Awesome wine! — 5 months ago

with Angela

Kilian Werner

9.1

This and Alion are my two favorites! Dark color, black currant, black pepper. Delicious — 5 months ago

Jen Resnick

9.0

Delicate and delicious — 5 months ago

Ericsson

9.7

Mariano García’s final vintage at Vega Sicilia. What a great bottle.

The nose opens with damp forest floor, leather, cedar, and quiet red fruit; subtle, reserved, endlessly composed.

On the palate, it’s silk laid gently over structure: dried cherry, tobacco, graphite, and savory earth carried by fine-grain tannins and measured acidity.

The finish reads like the final lines of a great novel: inevitable, complete, and exactly as it should be. And already, there’s a touch of nostalgia, because I don’t know when I’ll encounter something like this again. — 6 months ago

Kristin C

9.0

Smoked meats/sausage and cola on the nose, garnet color and medium-plus body, silky taste. Smooth, plum and raspberry, nice modest acidity, light vanilla notes, elegant finish. — 7 months ago

Howard Greenfield

9.7

From a 3 liter — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of black cherry, espresso, black tea, dried herbs and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now with patience but, to my palate, I think this will be better with a few more years in the cellar so the oak can better integrate. This is built to last well past 2041. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark red fruits, spice and rustic floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with pepper spice and cedar notes. Fine grainy tannins, lively acidity, medium finish ending with fruit, spice and mineral notes — 6 months ago

Michelle Richards

9.0

Great value wine — 5 months ago

John Van Trijp

10

Weekend with Friends and average wines…😎 blend 1970, 1976, 1982 — 6 months ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.5

Delicious! — 6 months ago

Sébastien F

9.2

C'est chaleureux mais très très harmonieux — 7 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Valserrano – Tempranillo & Graciano – 2019
Rioja DOCa – Rioja Alavesa, Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A classic Rioja Reserva blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, aged in oak. The 2019 vintage leans slightly riper and more concentrated than 2018, offering darker fruit and a touch more structure without sacrificing Valserrano’s signature elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, plum, and blackberry compote layered with vanilla, cocoa, sweet tobacco, and a hint of dried herbs. Subtle licorice and baking spice linger on the finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with polished tannins and more grip than the 2018. Balanced acidity keeps the wine fresh, while the finish is smooth, long, and quietly complex.

Food Pairings
Lamb chops, Iberian pork, roasted mushrooms, aged Manchego, or paella with chorizo.

Verdict
A refined yet slightly richer expression of Valserrano Reserva. Dark fruit, subtle earth, and graceful spice come together with impressive balance and drinkability. Classic Rioja with modern finesse.

Did You Know?
The Valserrano estate, founded in 1880, is still family-run and among the pioneers of Rioja Alavesa. Higher elevation and limestone soils are key to the region’s lifted acidity and refined tannin profile. — 7 months ago