Bodega Contador Alma 2020

Bodega Contador, led by visionary winemaker Benjamín Romeo, is celebrated for producing some of the most sought-after wines in Rioja. The Alma 2020 is a special, limited-edition cuvée that showcases the winery’s ability to craft wines with incredible intensity, complexity, and finesse. Known for meticulous vineyard management and low yields, Romeo’s philosophy is to let the terroir express itself, and Alma epitomizes this approach. The 2020 vintage was marked by cooler temperatures, which allowed for slower ripening and more concentrated flavours with balanced acidity.

Alma is crafted from old-vine Tempranillo, blended with smaller amounts of Garnacha and Graciano, all sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the Sierra Cantabria foothills. The wine is aged in new French oak for 18 months, which contributes to its layered complexity and elegant structure.

Appearance: Deep, opaque ruby with violet highlights, showcasing its youth and concentration.

Aroma: Aromas of ripe black cherries, dark plums, and blackberries are pronounced, with underlying notes of violets, liquorice, and sweet spices like cinnamon and clove. Hints of graphite, cedar, and toasted oak give depth and sophistication.

Taste: Full-bodied and powerful, the palate is layered with flavours of blackcurrant, plum, and dark chocolate. The oak aging adds subtle vanilla and espresso notes, while the fine tannins provide structure without overshadowing the wine’s natural fruit purity. There’s a mineral edge, likely from the vineyard’s rocky soils, that adds complexity and balance to the richness.

Finish: Long and luxurious, with a lingering interplay of dark fruit, spicy oak, and a touch of earthy minerality. The finish is polished, with a perfect balance of acidity and tannins that promises excellent aging potential.

Pairings: 400g 9+MB seared wagyu striploin with garlic oyster fungi, truffle cream sugo, dried king brow, and marrow jus. The wine’s rich fruit and structured tannins will pair seamlessly with the intensity of the wagyu, while its minerality and acidity balance out the dish’s creamy and umami components.

Charred venison rack with mesquite, black cabbage, and caramelized pearl onion. The gamey, smoky flavours of the venison will complement the wine’s bold character, and the earthy, savoury notes from the vegetables will enhance its depth and complexity.